The African fire finch (Lagonosticta rubricata), also called the dark firefinch or blue-billed firefinch due to the color of its bill,
Blue-Billed Firefinch
Blue-billed Firefinch occurs in patches across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia south through southern DRC and Tanzania to southern Africa.
Description:
The African firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata), also called the dark firefinch or blue-billed firefinch due to the color of its bill
The African firefinch is a small red or red and brown species of estrildid finch. The male has a grey crown, nape and neck, with olive brown mantles , wing coverts are olive brown, sometimes with a grey tinge. The rump, uppertail coverts, outer tail fathers are deep carmine red, the rest of the tail is black. The underparts from the chin to the belly are deep scarlet, with small white spots on the upper breast and flanks, the scarlet of the flanks continues to the side of the rump. Females are similar to the male but they are less intensely coloured, juveniles lack any red on the underparts
Song:
The blue-billed firefinch make a variety of sounds — repeated trills, a high-pitched bell-like tinkle, sharp alarms, and soft cluckings.
Breeding :
The blue-billed firefinch live most often in pairs or small groups, and male birds build the nests. Both males and females line the nest, incubate the eggs and feed the young. They usually lay 3 to 5 white eggs. Nestlings become independent just 14 days after hatching.
Interesting Facts:
The blue-billed fire finch is a shy bird that forages for food on the ground, pecking with his bill to break up clumps of soil
Diet for blue-billed firefinch:
Paradise Earth Premium Finch Blend, color-enhancement egg food and mixed dried insects.