African firefinch

The African firefinch, also known as the dark firefinch or blue-billed firefinch, is a small, vibrant bird widely found across Africa. Noted for their striking red and brown plumage, males are particularly distinctive with their lead-grey crowns and bright scarlet underparts. These birds measure approximately 10-11 cm in length and weigh between 8.6 and 11.7 grams. They are easily recognizable by their melodious song, a harmonious blend of ringing notes and trills.

African firefinches inhabit sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal to Ethiopia and extending to South Africa. They thrive in humid environments rich in vegetation and primarily feed on seeds and insects.

For nesting, African firefinches prefer secluded locations where they construct round nests from grass and feathers. Both parents share in the responsibility of caring for the 2-5 eggs until the chicks are ready to fledge.

There are four recognized subspecies of the African firefinch, each with its own distinct distribution. Additionally, the pale-billed firefinch found in western Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo is occasionally considered a fifth subspecies. Molecular studies suggest that this pale-billed variant is closely related to the primary subspecies.