Photo: SandyCole (mailto:[email protected]) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cut-throat Finch
Amadina fasciata
Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 12 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 18 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 Amadina
- Species fasciata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 18 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cut-throat Finch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Cut-throat Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c, e.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 18 g, with a wing length of about 6.6 cm and a tail of around 4.1 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 3.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cut-throat Finch?
The Cut-throat Finch is a small bird that weighs around 18 g.
Where does the Cut-throat Finch live?
The Cut-throat Finch is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, e, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Cut-throat Finch belong to?
The Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Cut-throat Finch eat?
The Cut-throat Finch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Cut-throat Finch migrate?
The Cut-throat Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cut-throat Finch 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 Cut-throat Finch make?
1 real field recording of the Cut-throat Finch — 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 Cut-throat Finch's range?
The Cut-throat Finch has a mapped global range of about 3.3 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.
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Guides for this bird
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