# Red-headed finch

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The **red-headed finch** (***Amadina erythrocephala***) (also known as the **paradise finch**) is a common species of [estrildid finch](/source/Estrildid_finch) found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,600,000 km2 (620,000 sq mi). It is found in [Angola](/source/Angola), [Botswana](/source/Botswana), [Lesotho](/source/Lesotho), [Namibia](/source/Namibia), [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) and [Zimbabwe](/source/Zimbabwe).

Males have vibrant red heads and chests while the females are duller. The resemblance to the cut-throat finch is unmistakable. The red-headed and [cut-throat finch](/source/Cut-throat_finch) are the only members of the genus *Amadina*. *Amadinas* with their heavy beaks resemble members of the *[Lonchura](/source/Lonchura)*, so they are actually more closely related to the *[Pytilias](/source/Pytilia)* such as the [Melba finch](/source/Green-winged_pytilia).[1]

## Taxonomy

The red-headed finch was [formally described](/source/Species_description) by the Swedish naturalist [Carl Linnaeus](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) in 1758 in the [tenth edition](/source/10th_edition_of_Systema_Naturae) of his *[Systema Naturae](/source/Systema_Naturae)* under the [binomial name](/source/Binomial_nomenclature) *Loxia eryocephala*, a misspelling of *Loxia erythrocephala*.[2][3] The specific epithet combines the [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) *eruthros* meaning "red" with *-kephalos* meaning "headed".[4] Linnaeus based his description on "The Sparrow of Paradise" that had been described and illustrated in 1751 by the English naturalist [George Edwards](/source/George_Edwards_(naturalist)) in his *A Natural History of Uncommon Birds*. Edwards' specimen had been collected in Angola.[5] This species is now placed with the [cut-throat finch](/source/Cut-throat_finch) in the genus *[Amadina](/source/Amadina)* that was introduced in 1827 by the English naturalist [William Swainson](/source/William_Swainson).[6][7] The species is [monotypic](/source/Monotypic): no [subspecies](/source/Subspecies) are recognised.[7]

## Behaviour

Often seen in small flocks on dry savannahs, the red-headed finch is a ground feeder which feeds companionably with other species and often visits waterholes. It has a distinctive double-noted *chuck-chuck* call.[8]

## References

1. ["The Red Head Finch - *Amadina erythrocephala*"](http://www.efinch.com/species/redhead.htm)

1. Linnaeus, Carl (1758). [*Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/727079) (in Latin). Vol. 1. 10th ed. Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 172.

1. Paynter, Raymond A. Jr (ed.) (1968). [*Check-List of Birds of the World*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/14481589). Vol. 14. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 388.

1. Jobling, James A. (2010). *The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names*. London: Christopher Helm. p. 149. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.

1. Edwards, George (1751). [*A Natural History of Uncommon Birds*](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/50196434). Vol. Part IV. London: Printed for the author at the College of Physicians. p. 180.

1. Swainson, William (1827). ["On several groups and forms in ornithology, not hitherto defined"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/27485875). *Zoological Journal*. **3**: 343–363 [349]

1. ["Waxbills, parrotfinches, munias, whydahs, Olive Warbler, accentors, pipits"](https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/waxbills/). *IOC World Bird List Version 11.1*. International Ornithologists' Union. January 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.

1. Newman, K. Newman's Birds of Southern Africa. ISBN 1-86812-278-6. p. 428.

- Newman, K. *Newman's Birds of Southern Africa*. ISBN 1-86812-278-6. p. 428.

## External links

- [Species factsheet](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/red-headed-finch-amadina-erythrocephala) - BirdLife International
- [Breeding information](http://www.efinch.com/species/redhead.htm) - eFinch
- [Species text](https://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/856.pdf) - *The Atlas of Southern African Birds*
- [Distribution map](http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/birds/estrildidae/amadina_erythrocephala.htm) - Biodiversity explorer shows a distribution map
- [Red-headed finch](https://thebdi.org/2025/01/06/red-headed-finch-amadina-erythrocephala/) Structured guide to the species in southern Africa

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Red-headed finch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-headed_finch) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-headed_finch?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.