Birdsong field guide
Red-billed Pytilia
Pytilia lineata
A small, vibrant estrildid finch endemic to Ethiopia, characterized by its namesake red bill and intricate fine barring on the underparts.
What it sounds like
A series of thin, high-pitched 'tsee-tsee' whistles and a soft, rhythmic warbling song.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto
Field notes
- It was historically considered a subspecies of the Red-winged Pytilia but is now recognized as a distinct species.
- The bird is easily identified by its bright red bill, which distinguishes it from the black-billed Red-winged Pytilia.
- It is a restricted-range species found primarily in the western and central Ethiopian Highlands.
- The species is a known host for the Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, a brood parasite that mimics the pytilia's nestling mouth patterns.
- Males exhibit a reddish wash on the face and throat that is much more subdued or absent in females.
Habitat
Rocky hillsides with thickets, wooded grasslands, and forest edges.
Range
Ethiopian Highlands (Ethiopia)
Similar & commonly confused birds
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