Family Waxbills (Estrildidae)
Endangered
Shelley's Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza shelleyi)
Taxonomy
French: Astrild de Shelley German: Rotmantelastrild Spanish: Estrilda de Shelley
Taxonomy:
Cryptospiza shelleyi
Sharpe
, 1902,Rwenzori, DRCongo–Uganda border
.Distribution:
Mountains of Albertine Rift in Uganda, E DRCongo, Rwanda and Burundi.
Descriptive notes
13 cm; 15–19 g. Male has head to below eye, ear-coverts, nape and upperparts maroon-red, tail black, upperwing black, inner tertials edged red; chin to throat, side of... read more
Voice
Call a series of twittering notes, rising and falling, "tu-tu-tu-ti-ti-ti".
Habitat
Dense undergrowth in montane forest, often in valley bottoms near water; low second growth at... read more
Food and feeding
Small seeds, notably of balsam (Impatiens), also insects. Feeds on and close to ground. Forages mainly in pairs and in small... read more
Breeding
No information.
Movements
Resident.
Status and conservation
ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: present in Albertine Rift Mountains EBA. Rare in almost entire range. Has declined in some areas, possibly because of continuing... read more
Monotypic.