Streaky-headed Seedeater

Overview

The streaky-headed seedeater or streaky-headed canary (Crithagra gularis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an unobtrusive but widespread species found in suitable habitats across southern Africa.

Identification

• Length of 13–14 cm with brown upperparts, a plain brown rump, and warm buff underparts.
• Distinctive head markings include a finely white-streaked crown, dark face, and white supercilium and chin.
• Soft callnote described as tseee, with a song consisting of wit-chee-chee-chee-cha cha cha cha chip interspersed with mimicry.
• Juveniles have less head streaking, a duller supercilium, and heavily streaked upperparts and pale grey underparts.

Habitat

Inhabits open woodland and scrub, including savanna, orchards, and gardens throughout southern Africa. It builds a compact cup nest in scrub.

Diet

Feeds on soft fruit, weed seeds, and buds, and sometimes takes insects. Large flocks can damage sunflower, millet, and other cereal crops.

Did you know?

The song of the streaky-headed seedeater is interspersed with the mimicry of other species. A specific call, tweu tweu tirrirrit-tink, is also given in display flight.