Identification
A large, chunky-headed black-and-red forest waxbill with a blue-and-red bill. Sexes differ: the male has a red forehead extending to the midcrown and eyes that appear to be rimmed by black spectacles, while the female has white spots on the belly and red only on the throat and rump. Juvenile is like the female, but lacks spotting and red on the throat. A scarce and secretive resident in the undergrowth of lowland primary and swamp forest in the Congo Basin up to 1400 meters of elevation. Song is a mournful series of 7–8 descending notes “deeeee-deee-deee-deee-dee-doo-dee-doo.” Male Red-headed Bluebill is very similar to male Grant’s, but red extends onto the nape and eyes appear to have whitish rims; male Black-bellied Seedcracker has a blue-black bill.