Green-winged Pytilia
Pytilia melba
Thorn thickets. Yellow-green mantle and wings; red bill (red forehead and throat in male); red rump and upper tail; banded underparts.
Finches, Mannikins, Twinspots, Waxbills
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Both sexes differ from [Orange-winged Pytilia] in black-and-white-barred underparts, all-green wings and longer, predominantly red bill. Usual call is a single, low ‘wick’; also utters a plaintive whistle and has an attractive short song. Pairs frequent thorny thickets, often near water, and associate with other waxbills and firefinches, feeding on open ground. Is host to Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah.
Quick Facts
Size
12-13 cm - S
Names
A: Gewone Melba
Z: usantiyane
G: Buntastrild
Bird Family
Small, conical-billed, ground- or grass-feeding seed-eaters, although some will also eat insects. They usually have colourful plumage, although females are usually more drab than males. They generally occur in pairs, or are gregarious when not breeding.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Pairs frequent thorny thickets, often near water, and associate with other waxbills and firefinches, feeding on open ground.
