African Silverbill Identification

A small finch with a large bill and a long, pointed tail. Note scaly, tawny-brown head, darker upperparts, black rump, and dark tail.

Large bill is dark above and blue-gray below, matching the color of the thin eyering.

A small, social finch with dark wings and tail. Builds a large, messy nest of grass and twigs.

West African populations are lighter brown above than East African and Arabian populations, with less distinct barring.

Buffy breast and flanks give way to a white belly. Introduced to the Hawaiian Islands, where it now occurs on all the main islands.

A social species that often occurs in flocks.

Feeds mainly on grass and weed seeds.