Photo: (c) William Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY) / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Lesser Seedcracker
Pyrenestes minor
Lesser Seedcracker (Pyrenestes minor) — 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 Lesser Seedcracker (Pyrenestes minor) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 14 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 Pyrenestes
- Species minor
Quick facts
- Weight
- 14 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lesser Seedcracker is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Lesser Seedcracker is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Lesser Seedcracker (Pyrenestes minor) is a species of bird in the Estrildidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF c Tanzania to e Zimbabwe and c Mozambique.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 14 g, with a wing length of about 5.9 cm and a tail of around 5.3 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 437,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lesser Seedcracker?
The Lesser Seedcracker is a very small bird that weighs around 14 g.
Where does the Lesser Seedcracker live?
The Lesser Seedcracker is found across Africa with a range covering AF c Tanzania to e Zimbabwe and c Mozambique, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Lesser Seedcracker belong to?
The Lesser Seedcracker (Pyrenestes minor) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Lesser Seedcracker eat?
The Lesser Seedcracker is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Lesser Seedcracker migrate?
The Lesser Seedcracker is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Lesser Seedcracker 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 Lesser Seedcracker's range?
The Lesser Seedcracker has a mapped global range of about 437,000 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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