|
|
|
Useful Links |
Red-billed Quelea | Quelea quelea
The Red-billed Quelea is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Ploceidae bird family group which includes birds such as Weavers, Queleas, Windowbirds. The description for the Red-billed Quelea (Latin name Quelea quelea) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Quelea quelea can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 821 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 1025. You will find a picture of the Red-billed Quelea on page 1009. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. Neither the Latin nor the Engish name for this bird has been affected by recent nomenclature modifications ? these changes have been incorporated into Robert's 7th Edition where appropriate. The Red-billed Quelea is known in Afrikaans as Rooibekkwelea. The Red-billed Quelea has a height of 12 cms and weighs around 20 gms. The head is coloured brown while the bill is coloured brown. The Quelea quelea has a brown coloured throat, pink legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are red. The male Quelea quelea has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is brown Eyes are red Bill is brown Legs are pink Throat is brown Back is brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground The Quelea quelea attacks its prey aerially and feeds on wing or takes the prey to a secluded venue where it is killed, torn into small pieces and eaten This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Red-billed Quelea is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 1 to 5 eggs and they are coloured brown. The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. The bird is mainly found in the Savanna grasslands where it breeds and feeds. The bird is found in the African bushveld Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
