The green-backed twinspot or green twinspot is an estrildid finch found in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The IUCN has classified the species as being of least concern.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across equatorial and eastern-southern Africa in lowland and foothill forests. It favors forest edges, secondary growth, riverine thickets, and bamboo or tangles within evergreen woodland. The species also uses clearings, overgrown tracks, and well-vegetated gardens adjacent to forest. It keeps close to dense cover and often forages on or near the ground under shaded understory.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This shy estrildid finch favors dense undergrowth and is often detected by its soft, whispery calls rather than seen. The male performs a discreet courtship display, bowing and fluffing his spotted underparts while singing. Its common name refers to the neat, paired white spots on the belly and flanks. Despite its secrecy, it can occur near forest clearings and well-vegetated gardens.
Green-backed twinspot in Budongo Forest, Uganda
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between cover
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups that keep low in dense vegetation. Nests are domed structures hidden in thickets or grass clumps, built from fine grasses. Breeding often coincides with rains when food is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, whispery series of high-pitched trills and sibilant notes. Contact calls are thin 'seep' or 'tsee' notes, often given from cover.
Plumage
Upperparts bright green; underparts finely white-spotted, contrasting on a darker base in males and duller, buffy in females. Short, neat plumage with smooth feathering and a compact finch silhouette. Juveniles are browner with reduced spotting and a duller bill.
Diet
Primarily small seeds of grasses and herbs, taken both from the ground and low seed heads. Supplements diet with small insects and other invertebrates, especially during breeding. Will also take tender plant material and fallen seeds in leaf litter.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded understory, along overgrown forest paths, and at forest margins. Frequently forages low to the ground, moving between dense clumps of vegetation for cover.
