Crithagra scotops
Forest Canaries are endemic to South Africa and Swaziland, where they are found in and on the edges of forest and other moist, dense habitats from the Western Cape to the escarpment of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. They feed primarily on small seeds, flowers and fruit and are very fond of bathing, even in cold mountain streams.
Adults measure 13cm in length and weigh around 15g. They nest in summer, when they’re usually encountered in monogamous pairs or small family groups as opposed to larger flocks numbering around 12 individuals outside of the breeding season. The female constructs the bulky, cup-shaped nest in which she incubates the clutch of 2-4 eggs over a two-week period, with the chicks leaving the nest when they’re almost 3 weeks old.
The IUCN considers the Forest Canary to be of least concern.
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