African Quail-Finch

Ortygospiza atricollis

The African Quail-Finch occurs throughout South Africa, being absent only from the arid west of the country, and patchily through most of sub-Saharan Africa. Though difficult to observe up close due to their skittish nature, these highly nomadic flock-living birds are common in grasslands and woodlands with bare ground, where they feed on seeds and small insects, and usually found close to water. Their nesting season coincides with periods of high rainfall when grasses are in seed. It takes a little over 2 weeks for the clutch of up to 6 eggs to hatch. The chicks leave the nest when they’re about 3 weeks old and become self-sufficient about a month later.

The IUCN lists the African Quail-Finch as being of least concern.