The Grey-headed Silverbill Lonchura griseicapilla also known as Peal-headed Mannikin is a species of estrildid finch found in eastern Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 400,000 kmē. It is sometimes placed in the genus Odontospiza as Odontospiza griseicapilla.
Characteristics
Identification
The Grey-headed Silverbill is a stocky bird with a grey head studded with white dots. Its body greyish- brown, partly black wings and tail, white rump. The juvenile can be told by its white rump.
Adult male is approximately 11.5 cm in length with wing length 6.5 cm.
Habitat
The Grey-headed Silverbill is commonly found in dry savanna habitat but never too far awat from water.
Behavior
The Grey-headed Silverbill is gregarious, moving in small flocks and often mixing with African Silverbill.
Food
The Grey-headed Silverbill feeds mostly on grass seeds. But it has been suggested that the species also feed on insects which are more a source of moisture than dry seeds.
Movement
The Grey-headed Silverbill wanders widely, influenced by weather and shifting availability of sources of water.
