African Silverbill

The African silverbill, Euodice cantans, is a diminutive passerine, a member of the estrildid finch family. It is characterized by its stubby silver-blue bill and a long, pointed black tail. The bird's upper parts are finely vermiculated in light brown, while the underparts are a soft whitish hue. A distinctive black rump and black wings complete its plumage. Both sexes appear similar, though the juveniles are without the vermiculations that adorn the adults.

Identification Tips

Adult African silverbills measure approximately 10 cm in length. They can be identified by their unique bill color and the vermiculated pattern on their upper parts. The subspecies E. c. orientalis is noted for its darker face and upperparts compared to its counterpart.

Habitat

The African silverbill is a bird of dry regions, favoring savanna landscapes, arid zones with thorn bushes, and grasslands dotted with acacias. It is also known to inhabit cultivated areas and dry grasslands.

Distribution

This species is a common resident south of the Sahara Desert and has been introduced to countries such as Portugal, Qatar, and the United States. It is primarily found at low altitudes but can reside up to elevations of 2,000 meters.

Behaviour

The African silverbill is a sociable and tame bird, often seen in dense flocks perched in trees, in close proximity to one another. Despite its sociability, it is known for its rather inactive nature, spending long periods sitting huddled together. It remains in flocks throughout the year and tends to breed in loose colonies.

Song & Calls

The call of the African silverbill is a soft 'tseep', with males uttering a single note and females a double 'tsiptsip'. In flight, they maintain a continuous 'tseep tseep tseep'. Their song is a pleasant trill.

Breeding

The nest is a roundish bundle of grasses, lined with soft fibers and occasionally feathers, often placed in a thick bush or amongst house creepers. The male gathers nesting materials, while the female assists in construction. Clutches typically contain three to six smooth white eggs, with the female incubating by day and both sexes at the nest by night. Incubation lasts about 11-13 days, with fledging occurring around 21 days post-hatching.

Similar Species

The African silverbill may be confused with the Indian silverbill, Euodice malabarica, but can be distinguished by its song and some physical differences, particularly when comparing the subspecies.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily seed eaters, African silverbills forage on the ground or cling to grass stems to extract seeds. They have also been observed consuming aphids.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the African silverbill as Least Concern. Although it is trapped for the cage bird trade, its wide distribution and population numbers suggest this has little impact on its survival.