Negrofinch
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The negrofinches or nigritas are small passerine birds belonging to the genus Nigrita in the estrildid finch family Estrildidae. There are four species; they occur in forest, secondary growth and scrubland in West, Central and East Africa.
They 10-15 centimetres long. The bill is short and black and is fairly slender in some species. The colour of the plumage varies but all have a dark tail. The upperparts are grey or brown and the underparts are black, grey, white or reddish-brown. The Grey-headed Negrofinch and male Pale-fronted Negrofinch have a black face and the White-breasted Negrofinch has a black cap. Negrofinches have whistling or trilling songs and calls.
They feed on insects, fruit and seeds. They often forage high in the treetops, usually alone or in pairs.
[edit] Species list
- White-breasted Negrofinch, Nigrita fusconotus
- Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Nigrita bicolor
- Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Nigrita luteifrons
- Grey-headed Negrofinch, Nigrita canicapillus
[edit] References
- Clement, Peter; Harris, Alan & Davies, John (1993) Finches and Sparrows: An Identification Guide, Christopher Helm, London.
- Sinclair, Ian & Ryan, Peter (2003) Birds of Africa south of the Sahara, Struik, Cape Town.
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