Photo: Peter Wilton / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-faced Firefinch
Lagonosticta larvata
Black-faced Firefinch (Lagonosticta larvata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Black-faced Firefinch (Lagonosticta larvata) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 9.9 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 Lagonosticta
- Species larvata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9.9 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-faced Firefinch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Black-faced Firefinch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-faced Firefinch (Lagonosticta larvata) is a species of bird in the Estrildidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Sudan and Ethiopia to w, c Africa.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9.9 g, with a wing length of about 5.1 cm and a tail of around 4.5 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 309,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-faced Firefinch?
The Black-faced Firefinch is a very small bird that weighs around 9.9 g.
Where does the Black-faced Firefinch live?
The Black-faced Firefinch is found across Africa with a range covering AF Sudan and Ethiopia to w, c Africa, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black-faced Firefinch belong to?
The Black-faced Firefinch (Lagonosticta larvata) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black-faced Firefinch eat?
The Black-faced Firefinch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Black-faced Firefinch migrate?
The Black-faced Firefinch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-faced Firefinch 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 Black-faced Firefinch's range?
The Black-faced Firefinch has a mapped global range of about 309,000 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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