Photo: Henrik Grønvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Shelley’s Crimsonwing
Cryptospiza shelleyi
Shelley's Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 17.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Estrildidae Waxbills, Munias & Allies
- Genus Cryptospiza
- Species shelleyi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 17.6 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Shelley’s 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 Shelley’s Crimsonwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi) is a species of bird in the Estrildidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e DR Congo, w Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17.6 g, with a wing length of about 6.4 cm and a tail of around 4.9 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 46,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Shelley’s Crimsonwing?
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing is a small bird that weighs around 17.6 g.
Where does the Shelley’s Crimsonwing live?
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing is found across Africa with a range covering AF e DR Congo, w Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Shelley’s Crimsonwing belong to?
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Shelley’s Crimsonwing eat?
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Shelley’s Crimsonwing migrate?
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Shelley’s Crimsonwing endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Shelley’s Crimsonwing's range?
The Shelley’s Crimsonwing has a mapped global range of about 46,000 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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