The cardinal quelea is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
Region
East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
The species occurs from South Sudan and Ethiopia south through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, and into northern Zambia. It favors open savannas, dry grasslands, thorn scrub, and the edges of wetlands. It also frequents agricultural landscapes, especially fields of millet, sorghum, and other grains. During the breeding season it concentrates near water and suitable nesting shrubs or reeds. Outside breeding, flocks wander locally in search of seeding grasses.
Altitude Range
0–2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The cardinal quelea is a small, highly social weaver that often forms large flocks, especially outside the breeding season. Breeding males develop striking red plumage, while females and non-breeding birds remain streaky brown for camouflage. It nests colonially in thorny bushes or reeds, weaving intricate, suspended nests. In some areas it forages in croplands and can locally impact cereal yields.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Cardinal queleas are gregarious, forming flocks that can swell around abundant food sources. They breed colonially, weaving pendant nests in thorny shrubs, acacias, or reeds near water. Pairs are seasonally monogamous within colonies, and both sexes participate in nest defense.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
The vocalizations are busy, chattering series of twitters and buzzy notes delivered from perches within colonies. Males add soft, scratchy songs during display, often accompanied by fluttering flights and wing-flicking.
Plumage
Breeding males show bright red to scarlet head and throat with a stout red bill and contrasting brown, lightly streaked upperparts. Females and non-breeding birds are mostly warm brown above with heavy streaking and buffy underparts, giving a sparrow-like appearance. Plumage can vary seasonally, with males dulling after breeding.
Diet
Primarily granivorous, feeding on seeds of wild grasses and cereals such as millet and sorghum. It also takes small insects, especially during the breeding season to provide protein for nestlings. Flocks forage on the ground or low in grass heads, shifting rapidly as resources are depleted. They may visit harvested fields and grain stores opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Foraging is concentrated in open grasslands, savanna edges, and cultivated fields. During seeding periods of grasses, flocks move through pasture and fallow areas, often near water and roosting cover.
