African Firefinch

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Lagonosticta rubricata

The shy African Firefinch is a tiny (11cm, 10g) seedeater inhabiting humid thickets in savanna and riverine woodland. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups.

Pairs are monogamous and the male is responsible for the building of the small ball-shaped grass-nest in a densely-leaved bush or dense grass during the summer months. Both parents share the incubation duties for the clutch of 2-5 eggs, which hatch after about two weeks. The nestlings are fed on small insects and fledge when they about 3 weeks old. The chicks become independent around 2 weeks after leaving the nest.

The African Firefinch has a rather patchy distribution across much of sub-Saharan Africa. The IUCN lists it as being of least concern. In South Africa they can be found from the Eastern Cape, through Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo and into Gauteng and the North West Province.

African Firefinch (female)
African Firefinch (female)
African Firefinch (female)
African Firefinch (male)
African Firefinch (male)
African Firefinch (male)
African Firefinch
African Firefinch

 

21 thoughts on “African Firefinch”

  5. T Ibara Photo

    They may be shy, but such wonderful birds. From a human-perspective, it’s lovely to see that pairs are monagomous and both parents contribute to taking care of the chicks.
    I have already put in my votes for you, and hope you get a great result this year as well! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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