Quail Finch

The quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) is a species of the estrildid finch. It is found in open grasslands in Africa. They are gregarious seedeaters with short, thick, red bills. They are very terrestrial, with lark-like feet and claws.

Distinctive, tiny, short-tailed waxbill. Always shows barred breast and flanks, a red bill, and white edges to the tail. The pattern of the head and back vary across the range; can show a gray head and back (with or without a white spectacles), a brown head and back, or a black head with a brown back. Found in short grassland and other open habitats, usually near water. Inconspicuous on the ground; usually detected in flight. Call is a distinctive “jink”, most often given in flight.

Grass seed and insects form the bulk of their diet in the wild.  Quail Finches do well on a high-quality finch seed mix, extra canary grass seed, and small daily feedings of egg food, sprouts, mealworms, crickets, waxworms and other insects.  All protein-based foods should be offered in much larger quantities to breeding pairs.