Crithagra canicapilla
The West African Seedeater, Crithagra canicapilla, is a charmingly vibrant passerine belonging to the true finch family (Fringillidae), distinguished by its relatively small size, typically measuring 11-12 cm in length and weighing between 10 and 15 grams. Its plumage features a distinctive grey cap, olive-green streaked back, bright yellow rump, and vibrant yellow underparts that contrast sharply with its darker wings, which are marked with two yellowish wingbars. These striking colors, part...
Primarily inhabiting dry savannas, open woodlands, cultivated areas, and shrublands, often near human settlements. It thrives in low to moderate elevations across its West African range.
Mainly granivorous, feeding primarily on small grass seeds and weed seeds, supplemented with some small insects and their larvae, especially during the breeding season.
A diurnal species, the West African Seedeater spends its days actively foraging and singing, typically roosting communally in dense bushes or trees at night. Its foraging strategy involves gleaning seeds from the ground, as well as deftly plucking them from grasses, shrubs, and small trees, somet...
The West African Seedeater is endemic to a broad band across West Africa, extending from the Atlantic coast eastward. Its distribution spans from Mauritania, Senegal, and The Gambia, through southern Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, reaching into Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad. There are ...
Least Concern
- The scientific name 'canicapilla' literally means 'grey-capped,' a direct reference to one of its most distinctive physical features. - Despite its small stature, the West African Seedeater possesses a surprisingly loud and melodious song, making it a prominent vocal presence in its habitat. - ...