Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Cuckoo-finch

Anomalospiza imberbis

The Cuckoo-finch, Anomalospiza imberbis, also known as the parasitic weaver or cuckoo weaver, is a diminutive passerine that graces the grasslands of Africa south of the Sahara. The male of the species is adorned in a vibrant yellow and green plumage, while the female is cloaked in a more subdued buff with dark streaks. This bird is known for its unique reproductive strategy, laying its eggs in the nests of other avian species.

Identification Tips

Adult males can be identified by their black bills, yellow heads, and underparts, with olive-green upperparts marked by black streaks. The females are less conspicuous, with heavy black streaking above, light streaks on the flanks, and a largely plain buff face with a buff-white throat. Both sexes are approximately 11-13 cm in length, with short tails, robust legs and feet, and a large, deep, conical bill.

Habitat

The Cuckoo-finch is found in open or lightly wooded grasslands, often with a preference for areas that are near damp environments.

Distribution

This species has a scattered distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, with populations in West Africa, East Africa, and southern Africa, including countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, and Eswatini.

Behaviour

Cuckoo-finches are typically seen in pairs or small flocks during the breeding season and gather in larger flocks when not breeding. They forage on the ground or perched atop grasses or herbs, feeding mainly on grass seeds.

Song & Calls

The species is known for its chattering calls and the males exhibit a nasal song during display.

Breeding

The Cuckoo-finch is an obligate brood parasite, relying on the nests of cisticolas and prinias to lay its eggs. The eggs vary in color from white to pale blue or pink, adorned with brown, reddish, or violet markings. After a 14-day incubation period, the young fledge in 18 days and remain dependent on their hosts for an additional 10-40 days.

Similar Species

While there are no specific similar species mentioned, the Cuckoo-finch can be distinguished from other finches by its parasitic breeding behavior and its association with the indigobirds and whydahs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Cuckoo-finch consists mainly of grass seeds, which they pick from the ground or directly from plant heads.

Conservation status

The Cuckoo-finch is classified as Least Concern by BirdLife International, indicating a large range and a stable population.

Cuckoo-finch Sounds

β€Œ
Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Cuckoo-finches on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Indigobirds, Whydahs

A photo of a Village Indigobird (Vidua chalybeata) , male

Village Indigobird

Vidua chalybeata
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
778
Great bird recording
For a while I’ve been trying to find an app to easily record bird lists and day out and struggled to find one that I like. Birda is great for this, straightforward and a great community!
Bryan C
Clean and easy to use
Really enjoying this app, it's clean and easy to use. I love the ease of being able to add those one-off birds without starting a whole checklist. I also like the social aspect, like the parts of my Facebook I like, without the ads and junk, just birds. Can't wait to see it become more populated.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vidsπŸ¦‰πŸ¦…
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.