#spermestes cucullata

[birdstudies]

January 13, 2023 - Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullata) Found in grassy open woodland or scrub in much of central and southeastern Africa, these estrildid finches have also been introduced to Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands. They eat grass seeds, insects, algae, and nectar, foraging mostly on the ground in flocks, often with other species. Females build ball-shaped nests with side entrances in trees, shrubs, thatch, or sometimes in cavities in the nests of raptors, while males gather materials. They also often reuse the nests of other finches.

[alonglistofbirds]

[1685/10977] Bronze mannikin - Spermestes cucullata

Order: Passeriformes Suborder: Passeri Superfamily: Passeroidea Family: Estrildidae (estrildid finches)

Photo credit: Santiago Caballero Carrera via Macaulay Library