Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Bluebill
Spermophaga haematina
Western Bluebill (Spermophaga haematina) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Western Bluebill (Spermophaga haematina) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 23 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 Spermophaga
- Species haematina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 23 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Bluebill is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Western Bluebill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Western Bluebill (Spermophaga haematina) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 23 g, with a wing length of about 6.8 cm and a tail of around 5.4 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 1.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Bluebill?
The Western Bluebill is a small bird that weighs around 23 g.
Where does the Western Bluebill live?
The Western Bluebill is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Western Bluebill belong to?
The Western Bluebill (Spermophaga haematina) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Western Bluebill eat?
The Western Bluebill is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Western Bluebill migrate?
The Western Bluebill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Western Bluebill 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 Western Bluebill make?
1 real field recording of the Western Bluebill — 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 Western Bluebill's range?
The Western Bluebill has a mapped global range of about 1.9 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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