Abyssinian Crimsonwing
Cryptospiza salvadorii
The Abyssinian Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza salvadorii) is a rare munias, parrotfinches, waxbills, and alli found in 5 countries, weighing about 12 g. The Abyssinian crimsonwing, also known as the Ethiopian crimsonwing, Salvadori's crimsonwing or crimson-backed forest finch, is a common species of estrildid finch found in eastern Africa.
About the Abyssinian Crimsonwing
The Abyssinian crimsonwing, also known as the Ethiopian crimsonwing, Salvadori's crimsonwing or crimson-backed forest finch, is a common species of estrildid finch found in eastern Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 190,000 km2 (73,000 mi2).
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Abyssinian crimsonwing is a small, shy greyish olive finch with bright crimson wings, mantle, back and rump. It is sexually dimorphic. In the males the head and upper mantle are greyish olive apart from the blackish lores, while the rest of the upper parts, except for the short, rounded, black tail, are deep crimson. The chin is dull yellow and the rest of the underparts are greyish-olive, with some flank feathers having red tips. The bill is black, and the eyes and legs are dark brown. The females is similar to the male, but duller red above and pale olive below. Voice: The call of the Abyssinian crimsonwing is a soft "tsip-tsip" which is given when the bird is flushed. The song is the call repeated but with a soft melodic sub-song which is rarely heard.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Abyssinian Crimsonwing can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Abyssinian Crimsonwing?
- The Abyssinian crimsonwing is a small, shy greyish olive finch with bright crimson wings, mantle, back and rump. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Abyssinian Crimsonwing?
- The Abyssinian Crimsonwing is a tiny sized bird weighing about 12 g.
- Where can you see an Abyssinian Crimsonwing?
- The Abyssinian Crimsonwing occurs in 5 countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda.
- What birds look similar to an Abyssinian Crimsonwing?
- The Abyssinian Crimsonwing is most easily confused with the Dusky Crimsonwing, the Red-faced Crimsonwing and the Shelley's Crimsonwing.
- Is the Abyssinian Crimsonwing endangered?
- The Abyssinian Crimsonwing is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Abyssinian Crimsonwing for real
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