#estrildidae

[herpsandbirds]

Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae), family Estrildidae, order Passeriformes, eastern Kimberley, Western Australia

Photograph by Naidu Kumpatla

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Having a dad around can be pretty important- and not just for the bad jokes and games of catch. Studies have shown that male zebra finches raised by only by their mother choose to pair with other members of their own sex far more often than males raised by both parents. This is likely due to a gap in their early education; males have to learn specific courtship songs from their fathers, so when it comes time to mate, they aren't able to woo females as well as their peers raised by both parents. So instead, they form bonds with other males-- especially those who were also raised without a father.

(Image: A zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) by Chris Wiley)

[herpsandbirds]

Red-throated Twinspot (Hypargos niveoguttatus), L - female, R - male, family Estrildidae, order Passeriformes, Zimbabwe

photograph by Jim Mackie

[herpsandbirds]

Blue-faced Parrotfinch (Erythrura trichroa), family Estrildidae, order Passeriformes, Atherton Tablelands, QLD, Australia

photograph by Dave Newman

[vulturescale]

Can you draw a cute Munia?

Of course! Meant for it to be simple at first but i got carried away as usual :P

[birdstudies]

March 13, 2026 - Fawn-breasted Waxbill (Estrilda paludicola) Found in a spotty range across eastern and central Africa, these waxbills live in grassy habitats in and around forests, woodlands, and cultivated areas. Foraging in pairs, small groups, and flocks of 30 or more, they eat small grass seeds and some insects, plucking seeds from grass stems and the ground. They build ball-shaped nests with short, sloped, side entrance tunnels from grass on or near the ground. Females lay clutches of four to six eggs.

[herpsandbirds]

Pin-tailed Parrotfinch (Erythrura prasina), family Estrildidae, order Passeriformes, Malaysia

photograph by Hafiz Ikhlas

[herpsandbirds]

Red-billed Firefinches (Lagonosticta senegala), L - female, R - male, family Estrildidae, Makasutu Forest, The Gambia

photograph by Mark Searle