Cardinal Quelea Quelea cardinalis

The red head of the breeding male is distinctive. Non-breeding male and female are nondescript streaky brown birds with buffy eyebrows. Found in moist, grassy habitats, where it often appears after recent rain. Most records are of territorial breeding males. Becomes inconspicuous when not breeding, mixing with flocks of other weavers and seedeaters. The call is a rough “chyet” and the song is an accelerating series of annoyed-sounding notes. Breeding male very similar to breeding male Red-headed Quelea, but has less red on the nape and more on the breast, for a more cleanly “hooded” look.