Photo: Swainson, 1837 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Red-winged Pytilia
Pytilia phoenicoptera
Red-winged Pytilia (Pytilia phoenicoptera) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Red-winged Pytilia (Pytilia phoenicoptera) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 14.5 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 Pytilia
- Species phoenicoptera
Quick facts
- Weight
- 14.5 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red-winged Pytilia 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 Red-winged Pytilia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red-winged Pytilia (Pytilia phoenicoptera) is a species of bird in the Estrildidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 14.5 g, with a wing length of about 5.5 cm and a tail of around 3.9 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 1.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-winged Pytilia?
The Red-winged Pytilia is a very small bird that weighs around 14.5 g.
Where does the Red-winged Pytilia live?
The Red-winged Pytilia is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Red-winged Pytilia belong to?
The Red-winged Pytilia (Pytilia phoenicoptera) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Red-winged Pytilia eat?
The Red-winged Pytilia is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Red-winged Pytilia migrate?
The Red-winged Pytilia is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red-winged Pytilia 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 Red-winged Pytilia make?
1 real field recording of the Red-winged Pytilia — 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 Red-winged Pytilia's range?
The Red-winged Pytilia has a mapped global range of about 1.5 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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