Red billed Fire finch, so named because of its flame red colour. Below is a good example of the male and female together taking a drink from our eco-pool filter. We can see them at all times of the day at the lodge and they like to hang out with Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu.
They are best buddies!
Where is the Red billed Fire finch found?
As mentioned earlier, this little bird is a daily visitor at Footsteps.
This widespread and abundant species is often found around human habitation, often with other species such as the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu.
It likes to be by open grassland and cultivated areas. The nest is a large domed grass structure with a side entrance, built low in a bush, wall or thatch into which three to six white eggs are laid. Source Wikipedia
In Gambia for example this delightful bird is widespread and fairly common in forest interiors.
What does it look like?
The Red-billed Firefinch is just 10 cm in length. The adult male has scarlet plumage all over except for his brown wings. His beak is pink, and he has a yellow eye ring. Females have evenly brown upperparts and beige underparts. She has a small red patch in front of both eyes, with her beak being pink also.
What does it feed on?
The Red-billed Firefinch is a small socially affable bird which feeds mainly on grain and other small seeds.
Want to know an interesting Factoid?
The nest of the Red-billed Firefinch is commonly occupied by free-loading Village Indigo-birds.
How does it sound?
In The Gambia, its call is a familiar and soft-sounding Queet-Queet. Its song is a rising melodious Chick-pea-pea-pea.