Green-winged Pytilia

Afrikaans name: Gewone Melba

Photo © Gerrit de Vries - Fotolia.com

Pytilia melba

The Green-winged Pytilia, also known as the Melba Finch, is a common bird in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa it is found in suitable habitat in the northern half of the country.

Males show more colour than females. They have a red face and and have more green on them.

Green-winged Pytilias mainly feed on the seeds of various grasses. They may also feed on termites.

They are popular cage birds.

The pair make an untidy looking nest in a tree or shrub. The female normally lays between 2 and 5 eggs. Both parents feed the chicks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	830	Zonogastris melba melba
2nd	830	Pytilia melba
3rd	830	Pytilia melba
4th	830	Pytilia melba
5th	834	Pytilia melba
6th	834	Pytilia melba
7th	882	Pytilia melba

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	830	Melba Finch
2nd	830	Melba Finch
3rd	830	Melba Finch
4th	830	Melba Finch
5th	834	Melba Finch
6th	834	Melba Finch
7th	882	Green-winged Pytilia

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	830	Melba-vink
2nd	830	Melba-vink
3rd	830	Melba-vink
4th	830	Melba-vink
5th	834	Gewone Melba
6th	834	Gewone Melba
7th	882	Gewone Melba

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 184

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 355

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 121

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 434

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 402

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 742

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 744

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 587

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 578

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 328

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 447

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 322

More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 26

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 420

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 420

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 81

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 216

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 262

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 30

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 30

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 282

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 222

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 313

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds