Bird Name:

Melba Finch

Latin Name:

Pytilia melba

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Estrildidae

Genus: Pytilia

Species: P. melba

General Information:

The Melba Finch is also known as the Green-winged Pytilla or the Pytilia Melba. It is a common finch found across Sub-Saharan Africa. Its estimated extent of occurrence covers 6,000,000 km². There are two subspecies.

Physical Description:

The Melba Finch is roughly 5 inches in length and weighs close to 15 g. This species is dimorphic. The males are brightly colored and show a dark orange bill, forehead, throat and tail feathers. The nape is blue gray and the wings are brownish green. The belly has an almost striped pattern in gray and white. The females have an all-gray head and upper breast, with the striped pattern on the belly. The juveniles resemble females but are more olive above and plain gray below.

Diet:

It feeds on the ground, primarily taking fruits, seeds, and invertebrate animals.

Habitat:

The Melba Finch occurs in Africa south of the Sahara Desert except eastern Somalia and the more arid southwestern areas of the continent. It is also mostly absent from the lowland equatorial forests in the west. This bird habits dry bush and scrub, woodlands, and riverine areas. It nests on tree branches and shrubs. The male constructs a dome-shaped nest made mostly from grasses lined with feathers and softer, fine grasses.

Reproduction:

This bird is monogamous unless its mate dies, in which case it will find a new mate. A female Melba Finch lays 2 – 4 cream-colored eggs per clutch.