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Jameson's firefinch is a small, native African bird found in savannas and woodlands, known for the male's red plumage and the species' tendency to live in pairs or small flocks. Its diet consists mainly of grass seeds and small insects, and it is a host for the parasitic Village Indigobird, which lays its eggs in their nests.
Key facts
Classification: It belongs to the order Passeriformes and the family Estrildidae.
Appearance:
Size: Approximately
11cm long and weighs around 10g.
Male: Reddish plumage on the face, chest, and underparts; it has a blue-gray bill and black undertail coverts.
Female: More subdued brownish tones with a reddish rump, and the same blue-gray bill and black undertail coverts.
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Habitat: Found in eastern and southern Africa, including savannas, woodlands, and scrub, often near water or along forest edges.
Diet: Primarily forages on the ground for fallen grass seeds, but also eats small insects like ants and termites.
Behavior:
Usually seen in pairs or small groups.
Vocalizes with a short trill, according to eBird.
Breeding:
Nests are oval-shaped, made of dry grass, and lined with soft grass or feathers.
Lays 2–7 eggs, with a clutch size of 3–4 is more typical, and both parents incubate the eggs and feed the chicks.
Breeding often peaks during the summer months.
Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Parasitism: The Village Indigobird is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the Jameson's firefinch's nest, as noted by Wildlife Vagabond.
