Streaky-headed Seedeater Crithagra gularis Scientific name definitions

13–16 cm; 10·5–21 g (mendosa), 16·7–25 g (nominate race and humilis). Medium-sized to large, comparatively slender-billed, plain finch with white supercilium. Adult nominate race has forehead to hindcrown white, finely streaked dark brown (all feathers white at base, tipped dark brown), hindcrown and nape to side of neck lighter brown, streaked darker (may be finely tipped with white); long, broad white supercilium to over ear-coverts; lores to sides of bill blackish, cheek and ear-coverts dark brown; upperparts brown or greyish brown, streaked darker, tail also dark brown; upper­wing dark brown, median coverts fringed paler brown, greater coverts more broadly fringed buff-brown and tipped paler (forming indistinct wingbar), flight-feathers finely edged pale buffish (broadest on secondaries and tertials in fresh plumage); centre of chin and throat white, underparts warm buff-brown to sandy brown, paler or greyish white on lower belly and undertail-coverts; iris hazel-brown; bill dark horn, paler pinkish-brown base of mandible; legs pale flesh to dark brown. Sexes similar, female sometimes with streaks on lower throat and breast. Juvenile is like adult or slightly paler above, less streaked on crown and nape, but more prominently streaked on mantle and scapulars, supercilium dull buffish, upperwing-coverts broadly tipped pale buff, tertials fringed pale buff, and greyer underparts clearly and broadly streaked on breast to flanks and belly. Race endemion is like nominate, but upperparts darker and greyer, more heavily streaked on crown and nape, and chin finely spotted blackish; humilis is like previous (with bill larger than nominate), but has whitish-buff supercilium, forehead to nape streaked buffish and dark brown, upperparts darker grey-brown, chin whitish-buff more prominently spotted black, throat to belly and undertail-coverts greyish buff; benguellensis has forehead to nape pale brown with few pale or whitish streaks, upperparts deeper brown than C. canicapilla and finely streaked, underparts more heavily brown and finely dark-streaked; mendosa has larger bill and longer tail than other races, upperparts paler and greyer than C. canicapilla and faintly streaked darker, lacks spots on chin, has breast and flanks pale grey-brown and belly greyish white.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Lowland to submontane scrub and open or sparsely wooded savanna with scattered trees, including acacia (Acacia) and Terminalia woodlands and thorn-scrub, also clearings and edges of dry Brachystegia and Burkea africana woodland, slopes and hillsides with scattered trees and Protea stands, secondary woods and bushes; also orchards and edges of cultivation, plantations, and occasionally entering gardens and suburban areas. To 2100 m; in Zimbabwe mendosa not found below 900 m, being common at 1000–1750 m.

Resident and partial migrant; in non-breeding season large flocks wander at random throughout range in search of foraging areas. Uncertain if the species is perhaps only an irregular visitor to SW Zambia, rather than a sparsely distributed resident.

Mostly a wide variety of seeds, flowers, buds, fruit and small insects. Seeds include those of sunflowers (Helianthus), Pennisetum americanum, P. glaucum, Amaranthus, grasses and cereals, and Protea roupelliae, Celtis africana, Acacia karoo, Cheanopodium, Carica papaya, Hyparrhenia hirta, Nicotiana tabaccum, also pines (Pinus), Casuarina (e.g. C. equisetifolia locally important), Opuntia, Sorghum and probably Cedrus atlantica cones; seeds, buds and shoots of Maytenus, Aspalanthus, Chenopodium, aloes (Aloe), Nymania, Chironia, Lampranthus, Melianthus, Salsola, Eriocephalus and Olea; buds, petals and flowers of aloes, peach (Prunus persica), apricot (P. armeniaca), Buddleia, Salvia africana, Erythrina, Amaranthus hybridus, Taretes erecta, T. patula, Tecoma capensis, Rhus pyroides, Morus mesozygia, Lycium afrum, L. austrinum, Lantana rugosa, Rumex and figs (Ficus); nectar of Kniphofia, Erythrina, Aloe (of at least six species), Tecomaria capensis and Hibiscus; fruits include those of Morus, Euphorbia ingens, Lantana rugosa, L. camara, Rhamnus prinoides and figs. Insects include termites (Isoptera), hoverflies (Syrphidae) and caterpillars. Forages on ground, more frequently on seeding heads of grasses and other plants, also in bushes and trees. Holds down seeding plant with foot while seeds extracted, plucks fruit (e.g. mulberries) and holds it in foot against perch while eating in small portions; probes and pierces base of flowers to extract nectar; strips outer covering of Aloe flowers; pursues and catches insects in flight. Generally shy and unobtrusive, on ground moves with short hops. Forages alone, in pairs and in small or fairly large flocks (regularly 20–50 birds, exceptionally 95 individuals); also in mixed flocks with other canaries, usually with C. mozambica, C. sulphurata and C. mennelli.

Song in E Africa has first three notes often upslurred and concludes with “siu siu siu st st ttttttit tyo”; in S Africa, song medium-paced comprising many clear, sweet whistles and some harder rattles, lasting 3–4 seconds, but same phrase may be repeated several times and become a longer warbling that lasts up to 17 seconds; in breeding season often gives repeated “tweu, tweu tirrirrit-tirik” during display-flight (DRCongo). Calls include a thin or high-pitched “tsee-ee” or “tsrr-tsip”, also “tsee-sweep”, “see-e-ee”, “shewee-uee” and a rolling “zwoo-weeyo-weeyip”, also “chip”, “chirrup” or “chiririt” and a soft or subdued “trreet”.

Season Sept–Mar (based on information from Zimbabwe, Transvaal and KwaZulu-Natal). Monogamous. Solitary or loosely colonial, with several pairs in close proximity. Displaying male sings from high perch or, less frequently than other serins, in high circling flight with slow butterfly-like wingbeats; when perched near female, he points bill skywards and sways head from side to side, body feathers fluffed out, and fans and slightly raises tail while moving towards female. Nest built by female alone, a small neat (sometimes bulky) cup (64–105 mm by 51 mm) constructed of plant fibres, roots, bark strips, dry grasses, leaves, small twigs, plant down (e.g. from Protea), feathers and cobweb, placed in concealed position in fork at or near end of branch or top of tree (e.g. Parinarium mobola), sometimes in cluster of seedpods or pine cones, once each behind peeling tree bark and in old Large Rock Martin (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) nest, between 1·5 m and 12 m above ground (usually 2–3 m). Clutch 2–4 eggs, white or pale greenish blue, finely spotted with brown or pale violet, size 17–21·2 mm × 12·6–15 mm; incubation by female alone, fed on nest by male, starts with third egg, period 12·5–15 days; nestling period c. 17 days (in captivity 18 days). Longevity at least nine years five months.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Common to variably locally common, uncommon or scarce. Evidence of considerable range expansion in SW Cape Province over last few decades, where the species is now frequently seen on coast, whereas in 1990s it was found no more than 20–40 km distant. Has also recently colonized urban areas of Lesotho, apparently due to its ability to take advantage of cones belonging to exotic coniferous tree species, and perhaps successfully eliminating competition from other canary species in the process. Estimated population in Sul do Save, S Mozambique 40,000 individuals, and in Swaziland 20,000.