Photo: HonzaGreen / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-collared Oliveback
Nesocharis ansorgei
White-collared Oliveback (Nesocharis ansorgei) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-collared Oliveback (Nesocharis ansorgei) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Estrildidae Waxbills, Munias & Allies
- Genus Nesocharis
- Species ansorgei
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.4 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-collared Oliveback is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-collared Oliveback is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-collared Oliveback (Nesocharis ansorgei) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e DR Congo and w Uganda to nw Tanzania.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.4 g, with a wing length of about 4.8 cm and a tail of around 3.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 157,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-collared Oliveback?
The White-collared Oliveback is a very small bird that weighs around 8.4 g.
Where does the White-collared Oliveback live?
The White-collared Oliveback is found across Africa with a range covering AF e DR Congo and w Uganda to nw Tanzania, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the White-collared Oliveback belong to?
The White-collared Oliveback (Nesocharis ansorgei) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-collared Oliveback eat?
The White-collared Oliveback is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the White-collared Oliveback migrate?
The White-collared Oliveback is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-collared Oliveback endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the White-collared Oliveback's range?
The White-collared Oliveback has a mapped global range of about 157,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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