Photo: Alandmanson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Firefinch
Lagonosticta rubricata
African Firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 10.2 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 rubricata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 10.2 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Firefinch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The African Firefinch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c, se, s.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 10.2 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 4.4 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 6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Firefinch?
The African Firefinch is a very small bird that weighs around 10.2 g.
Where does the African Firefinch live?
The African Firefinch is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, se, s, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the African Firefinch belong to?
The African Firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the African Firefinch eat?
The African Firefinch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the African Firefinch migrate?
The African Firefinch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African 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.
What sound does the African Firefinch make?
1 real field recording of the African Firefinch — 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 African Firefinch's range?
The African Firefinch has a mapped global range of about 6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Estrildidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
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.