Birdsong field guide
Gray-headed Silverbill
Spermestes griseicapilla
The Gray-headed Silverbill is a small, social estrildid finch characterized by its distinctive silver-grey bill and finely speckled grey head. It is commonly found in the arid scrublands of East Africa, often moving in small, active flocks.
What it sounds like
A high-pitched, thin 'tsip' or 'tseet', often emitted as a rapid, jingling series of notes while in flight.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- It displays a prominent white rump that contrasts sharply with its blackish tail in flight.
- The species frequently engages in allopreening, where individuals groom each other to reinforce social and pair bonds.
- They are known to roost communally in old nests or thickets to conserve heat during cool savanna nights.
- While they build their own bulky grass nests, they often repurpose abandoned weaver nests for breeding or sleeping.
- Their diet is specialized toward small grass seeds, which they typically forage for on the ground in open patches.
Habitat
Semi-arid thorn-scrub, dry savanna, and bushy grasslands, usually in close proximity to water sources.
Range
East Africa, including parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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