Red-billed Firefinch, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Red-billed Firefinch, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
During my stay in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last December I frequently saw the beautiful Red-billed Firefinch. This species was very common in the grounds of the school where my daughter was teaching. The extensive grounds were ideal for this seed-eating species and they were often encountered in grassy areas, on or near the school oval and on the lawns next to the classrooms.
The Red-billed Firefinch is also very common throughout sub-Sahara Africa. It is often found in open grassland and cultivated areas. The nest is a domed grass structure with an entrance on the side. The nest is parasitised by the Village Indigobird which was also present on the school campus. (I’ll feature that species in a few days’ time.)
Interestingly I didn’t get any photos of the female of this species. Females are a uniform brown colour all over, except for a red eyebrow and red on the rump.
Red-billed Firefinch, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Red-billed Firefinch, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Red-billed Firefinch, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Nice one, Trevor! A bit like our Crimson and Painted Finches.
What a beautiful bird. One I’ve certainly never seen before.
Beautiful bird and aptly named!
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