Photo: Martin Gutewort / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Citril
Crithagra frontalis
Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis) is a member of the Fringillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 12.3 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 Fringillidae Finches, Euphonias
- Genus Crithagra
- Species frontalis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 12.3 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Citril is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Western Citril is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis) is a species of bird in the Fringillidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e DR Congo to Uganda, w Tanzania and ne Zambia.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 12.3 g, with a wing length of about 6.3 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 239,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Citril?
The Western Citril is a very small bird that weighs around 12.3 g.
Where does the Western Citril live?
The Western Citril is found across Africa with a range covering AF e DR Congo to Uganda, w Tanzania and ne Zambia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Western Citril belong to?
The Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis) belongs to the Fringillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Western Citril eat?
The Western Citril is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Western Citril migrate?
The Western Citril is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Western Citril endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Western Citril make?
1 real field recording of the Western Citril — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Western Citril's range?
The Western Citril has a mapped global range of about 239,000 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
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
Meet the Fringillidae
A field guide to the Fringillidae family — 238 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.