GAMBIA BIRD SPECIES

Black-faced Firefinch

Lagonosticta larvata

Overview

The Black-faced Firefinch is a refined and sought-after waxbill of inland West Africa. Its understated combination of red, grey and black rewards careful observation around quiet feeding areas.

Identification

Males show a dark face, red crown and breast, greyish upperparts and fine pale spotting on the flanks. Females are browner and less intensely coloured but retain the dark facial pattern and compact firefinch shape.

Habitat and behaviour

It favours grass, scrub, farm edges and lightly wooded country, often near water or settlements. Small parties feed unobtrusively on grass seeds on the ground, flying into nearby cover when disturbed.

Birdwatching in The Gambia

This is primarily an upriver target in The Gambia, where suitable savannah and village-edge habitat becomes more extensive. Productive seed patches and drinking points can concentrate birds.

Field note

Move slowly around grassy margins and listen for soft calls as finches rise from the ground. Lamin Jobaate can include known inland areas in a longer itinerary and help separate females from other small seedeaters.

Plan your birdwatching tour: Ask Lamin Jobaate about a private itinerary for this species and The Gambia’s other outstanding birds.