Photo: Henrik Grønvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Dusky Crimsonwing
Cryptospiza jacksoni
Dusky Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza jacksoni) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Dusky Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza jacksoni) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 13 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 Cryptospiza
- Species jacksoni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 13 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Dusky Crimsonwing is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Dusky Crimsonwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Dusky Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza jacksoni) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e DR Congo, w Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 13 g, with a wing length of about 5.6 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.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 76,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Dusky Crimsonwing?
The Dusky Crimsonwing is a very small bird that weighs around 13 g.
Where does the Dusky Crimsonwing live?
The Dusky Crimsonwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF e DR Congo, w Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Dusky Crimsonwing belong to?
The Dusky Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza jacksoni) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Dusky Crimsonwing eat?
The Dusky Crimsonwing is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Dusky Crimsonwing migrate?
The Dusky Crimsonwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Dusky Crimsonwing 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 Dusky Crimsonwing make?
1 real field recording of the Dusky Crimsonwing — 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 Dusky Crimsonwing's range?
The Dusky Crimsonwing has a mapped global range of about 76,000 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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