Red-Headed Bluebill or Crimson Seedcracker? January 14, 2018. The zoo has a lot of little crappy bird cages thrown up randomly around the grounds. Many hold different parrot species, this one holds an assortment of unsigned finches and weavers, as well as the quail to the right. At first sight I thought the center bird was a bluebill but then I came upon pics of the seedcracker so I'd like a second opinion.
My African bird books say that the seedcracker has a brown mantle and a shorter bill - so I think it's a bluebill. I have seen related species in the wild, but that was more than 40 years ago, so it doesn't help. I'm sure you haven't missed the cut-throat on the left.
@gentle lemur The bluebill was my original suspicion and I do agree. My only issue was the red on the back seems to go further down than on any birds I've seen photos of, but that would be odd for the seedcracker as well. I did see the Cut-Throat, yes, thanks
