Photo: Henrik Gronvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Locust Finch
Paludipasser locustella
Locust Finch (Paludipasser locustella) — 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 Locust Finch (Paludipasser locustella) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 10.6 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 Paludipasser
- Species locustella
Quick facts
- Weight
- 10.6 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Locust 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 Locust Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Locust Finch (Paludipasser locustella) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF sc, se.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 10.6 g, with a wing length of about 4.5 cm and a tail of around 3 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 731,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Locust Finch?
The Locust Finch is a very small bird that weighs around 10.6 g.
Where does the Locust Finch live?
The Locust Finch is found across Africa with a range covering AF sc, se, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Locust Finch belong to?
The Locust Finch (Paludipasser locustella) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Locust Finch eat?
The Locust Finch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Locust Finch migrate?
The Locust Finch is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Locust 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 Locust Finch make?
1 real field recording of the Locust Finch — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Locust Finch's range?
The Locust Finch has a mapped global range of about 731,000 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
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