Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Northern Grosbeak-Canary
Crithagra donaldsoni
Northern Grosbeak-Canary (Crithagra donaldsoni) — 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 Northern Grosbeak-Canary (Crithagra donaldsoni) is a member of the Fringillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 24 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 donaldsoni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 24 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary (Crithagra donaldsoni) is a species of bird in the Fringillidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF ec Ethiopia and Somalia to c Kenya.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 24 g, with a wing length of about 8.2 cm and a tail of around 6.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 605,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Northern Grosbeak-Canary?
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary is a small bird that weighs around 24 g.
Where does the Northern Grosbeak-Canary live?
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary is found across Africa with a range covering AF ec Ethiopia and Somalia to c Kenya, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Northern Grosbeak-Canary belong to?
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary (Crithagra donaldsoni) belongs to the Fringillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Northern Grosbeak-Canary eat?
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Northern Grosbeak-Canary migrate?
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Northern Grosbeak-Canary 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 Northern Grosbeak-Canary make?
1 real field recording of the Northern Grosbeak-Canary — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Northern Grosbeak-Canary's range?
The Northern Grosbeak-Canary has a mapped global range of about 605,000 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.