Red-billed Firefinch

Afrikaans name: Rooibekvuurvinkie

Red-billed Firefinch

Photo © Steven Herbert

Lagonosticta senegala

The Red-billed Firefinch is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa it occurs over most of the northern parts of the country, excluding the more arid areas, as well as in parts of the Western and Eastern Cape.

These are small birds that only reach a length of 10 cm. The male has much more red on it than the female. The female is mainly brown with some red on the face and white spots on her breast.

Red-billed Firefinches prefer areas with thickets interspersed with grass and bare patches. Their main food is grass seeds which it eats off the ground. Smaller insects are also eaten.

The male builds the nest which is normally placed on the ground under a bush. It is sometimes built on a man-made structure. Up to 6 eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents. The chicks are fed by both parents.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	837	Rhodopyga senegala rendalli
2nd	837	Lagonosticta senegala
3rd	837	Lagonosticta senegala
4th	837	Lagonosticta senegala
5th	842	Lagonosticta senegala
6th	842	Lagonosticta senegala
7th	884	Lagonosticta senegala

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	837	Little Ruddy Waxbill
2nd	837	Red-billed Firefinch
3rd	837	Red-billed Firefinch
4th	837	Red-billed Firefinch
5th	842	Redbilled Firefinch
6th	842	Redbilled Firefinch
7th	884	Red-billed Firefinch

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	837	Klein-robbin
2nd	837	Rooibek-robbin
3rd	837	Rooibek-robbin
4th	837	Rooibek-robbin
5th	842	Rooibekrobbin
6th	842	Rooibekvuurvinkie
7th	884	Rooibekvuurvinkie

References and further reading

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

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 396

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 436

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 76

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 356

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 751

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 750

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 591

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 581

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 422

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 332

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 452

More Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 27

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 422

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 316

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 265

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: 218

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

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 226

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 283

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

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 320

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds