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Magpie Mannikin | Spermestes fringilloides
The Magpie Mannikin is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Estrildidae bird family group which includes birds such as Waxbills, Firefinches, Twinspots. The description for the Magpie Mannikin (Latin name Spermestes fringilloides) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Spermestes fringilloides can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 859 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 1067. You will find a picture of the Magpie Mannikin on page 1057. 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. This bird is known as Pied Mannikin in the Roberts 6th Edition. The Magpie Mannikin has a height of 12 cms and weighs around 17 gms. The head is coloured black while the bill is coloured brown. The Spermestes fringilloides has a black coloured throat, grey legs and a brown coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Spermestes fringilloides 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 black Eyes are brown Bill is brown Legs are grey Throat is black Back is brown Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground 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 Magpie Mannikin 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 4 to 7 eggs and they are coloured white. The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. The Magpie Mannikin is found in the Southern African wetlands, riverine forests and moist grasslands. The bird is at home in riverine forests and close to water bodies such as lakes, dams and streams Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ... |
