Lagonosticta rhodopareia
The tiny (11cm, 9g) Jameson’s Firefinch is a bird of dry woodland and savanna, usually with a dense grass component and near water courses (they need ready access to surface water from a reliable source). They feed mainly on grass seeds supplemented with soft-bodied insects, being especially fond of termites.
Usually encountered in pairs or small groups, often in association with other small seed-eating birds, Jameson’s Firefinches are monogamous and may breed throughout the year. Their nests are oval-shaped, with a side-entrance, and built of grass by both partners, usually close to the ground in a dense shrub or grass tuft. The pair take turns at the incubation of the clutch of 2-7 eggs over a 2 week period. The hatchlings leave the nest when they’re almost 3 weeks old and then become independent of their parents within 2 weeks thereafter.
Jameson’s Firefinch is found in the northern provinces of South Africa and beyond our borders to Angola, the Congos, South Sudan and Ethiopia. The IUCN lists it as being of least concern.
DeWetsWild 
From the name I suspected this finch would be colorful, and you did not disappoint! Good-looking bird, great shots!
Thanks, Hien! They’re beautiful to behold and to get a photograph or two a wonderful bonus.
Finches are very proliferous and also family oriented. I have some of them in my backyard, I just imagine they must have the same behavior as in South Africa. They are likable birds. Thanks, D. 🙂
They just never sit still, do they H.J!? 🙂
They are such pretty little birds, Dries. I do admire their courage for nesting in grass tufts so close to the ground.
That does seem very risky, Tracy!
What a privilege to see these beautiful little birds!
Indeed, Anne!
You have the cutest little birds, Dries! I’m guessing the red one is the male?
Spot on, Lois. As with most birds the male Jameson’s Firefinch has the more showy plumage.
What a gorgeous little bird!!
Nodding in agreement!
What a beautiful little bird, Dries. Looks like a variety of colors in the different shots.
Thank you, Jane! Indeed yes, the male, female and youngsters all sport slightly different fashion.
Die klein vinkies is te dierbaar om dop te hou. Hul is soos bedrywige bytjies, aanmekaar besig om te pik pik. Hier was n rukkie twee vinkies( nie jamison vinkies nie) wat saadjies van die kruisement gesit en pik het. Sal bietjie gaan kyk watter vinkies dit was en laat weet.
Dit is beslis so, Ineke – die kleine vinkies sit nie vir n oomblik stil nie!