Cut-throat Finch

It’s easy to see why this little finch is called a Cut-throat as it literally looks as if its throat has been cut. Also known as the Bearded finch, the Ribbon Finch, simply the Cut-throat, and also the weaver finch.

Cut-throat-Finch
©Rob Carr
Cut-throat-Finch
©Rob Carr

Bird information.

Where can we see a Cut-throat Finch?

The pictures above were photographed a short distance from Footsteps along the Brikama Gunjur highway. Common in The Gambia they prefer savanna, woodland and areas of semi-desert.

What does it look like?

The cut-throat finch has plumage that is pale, sandy brown with flecks of black all over. They have a black-brown tail, a thick white chin and cheeks, and a chestnut brown patch on the belly. The legs are a pink fleshy colour. The adult male has a bright red band across its throat (thus the name “cut-throat”), while the male juveniles have a slightly duller red band. Source Wikipedia

What does it feed on?

In the wild, they forage on the ground in search of seeds, insects, termites, ant pupae, grass, and berries.

Want to know an interesting Factoid?

Only the male has the signature red cut-throat and they can live for circa ten years.

How does it sound?

The male has a single a low-pitched, bubbling warble

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