Nesocharis shelleyi
The Shelley's Oliveback (Nesocharis shelleyi) is a diminutive and engaging estrildid finch, measuring approximately 10-11 cm in length and weighing around 8-10 grams. Its plumage is characterized by a striking olive-green back that contrasts sharply with its smoky-gray head, crown, and nape, extending down to the throat and upper breast. A distinctive black mask often encircles the eye, giving it a somewhat masked appearance, while the lower breast and belly are a clean white or pale buff. Th...
This species primarily inhabits the undergrowth and sub-canopy of tropical moist lowland forests, forest clearings, and dense secondary growth, often near rivers or swampy areas, typically at elevations below 1,000 meters.
The diet consists mainly of small grass seeds and other herbaceous plant seeds, supplemented with small insects, particularly during the breeding season. They forage by gleaning seeds directly from plants.
Shelley's Oliveback is a generally social species, typically found in pairs or small family groups, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks. They are active during the day, spending much of their time foraging discreetly within dense vegetation. Their foraging strategy involves gleanin...
The Shelley's Oliveback is primarily distributed across Central Africa, inhabiting a relatively broad but somewhat disjunct range. Its main populations are found in southern Cameroon, extending eastward through the Central African Republic, and southward into Gabon, Equatorial Guinea (including B...
Least Concern
- Shelley's Oliveback's scientific name, *shelleyi*, honors British ornithologist George Ernest Shelley. - Despite its preference for dense undergrowth, it is considered a relatively common species within its range. - It is a member of the Estrildidae family, a group known for their intricate nes...