Black-and-white Mannikin

Spermestes bicolor

Range & Recent Observations

Last Spotted Near You

About the Black-and-white Mannikin

The black-and-white mannikin (Spermestes bicolor) also black-and-white munia or red-backed mannikin, is a species of estrildid finch, widely present throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 4,200,000 km2 (1,600,000 sq mi). It is found in moist savanna and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest habitat. The status of the species is evaluated as least concern. They are seedeaters, but are known to feed on algae. The black-and-white mannikin was formally described in 1843 by the British zoologist and collector Louis Fraser from a specimen collected near Cape Palmas in Liberia. He placed the species in the genus Amadina and coined the binomial name Amadina bicolor.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Spermestes bicolor
Family: Waxbills and Allies
Order: Passeriformes

Similar species

Other members of the waxbills and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

Know when the Black-and-white Mannikin turns up near you

Add it to your watchlist and draw an alert zone around the places you actually bird. Birdr checks eBird reports and tells you when one is seen inside it.

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