Pytilia phoenicoptera
The Red-winged Pytilia, *Pytilia phoenicoptera*, is a captivating member of the Estrildidae family, commonly known as the waxbills and finches. Measuring approximately 12-13 cm (4.7-5.1 inches) in length, this small yet vibrant bird is immediately recognizable by its striking carmine-red wing patches, which contrast beautifully with its soft gray head and neck. Its back and upper tail are olive-brown, transitioning to a distinct black tail, while the underparts display fine, dark barring on a...
The Red-winged Pytilia thrives in a variety of open woodland and savanna habitats, favoring areas with scattered trees, shrubs, and tall grasses, and is also found near human habitation in gardens and plantations, typically at low to mid-elevations.
Their diet primarily consists of small grass seeds, which they glean from the ground, supplemented significantly by a variety of insects, especially termites, often caught on the wing or picked from vegetation.
Typically diurnal, Red-winged Pytilias forage primarily on the ground or in low vegetation, meticulously gleaning for seeds and insects. They are generally observed in pairs or small family groups, maintaining close contact with soft calls. During the breeding season, pairs are monogamous, defend...
The Red-winged Pytilia boasts a broad geographic distribution across West and Central Africa, maintaining a resident presence throughout its range. The nominate subspecies, *P. p. phoenicoptera*, is found from Senegal and Gambia eastwards through Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte...
Least Concern
- Often kept as an aviary bird due to its striking coloration and relatively calm demeanor. - It is a known host to the Paradise Whydah (*Vidua paradisaea*), a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the Pytilia's nest, and whose chicks mimic the host's mouth markings. - The genus name *Pytilia* is ...