The pink-throated twinspot is a small seed-eating bird in the family Estrildidae. It inhabits dry savanna and moist, subtropical/tropical (lowland) shrubland habitats near the southeast African coast in Mozambique, South Africa and Eswatini. It has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 160,000 km2.
Region
Southeast Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily along the southeast African coast in southern Mozambique, Eswatini, and northeastern South Africa (notably northern KwaZulu-Natal). It favors dense lowland sand-forest, coastal thicket, and the shrubby edges of dry savanna and woodland. Birds keep close to cover and often use riparian tangles and overgrown clearings. Local occurrence can be strongly tied to intact understory and grass seeding patches near forest margins.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The pink-throated twinspot is a shy estrildid finch that keeps to dense thickets and undergrowth, making it more often heard than seen. Males show a distinctive rosy-pink throat that contrasts with white-spotted flanks, while females are duller and lack the bright throat. It is closely associated with coastal lowland sand-forest and thicket mosaics in southeast Africa and is generally sedentary. Despite its limited global range, it remains locally common where suitable habitat persists.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between cover
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups, remaining low in dense vegetation. Monogamous pairs maintain small territories and communicate with soft contact calls. Nests are discreet domed structures of grasses placed low in thickets or tangled shrubs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, sweet series of thin trills and tinkling notes, often delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include gentle 'tzip' or 'seep' notes used to keep contact while moving through cover.
Plumage
Fine, neat spotting on the flanks over brown to grey-brown underparts, with smooth, close-textured plumage. Upperparts are warm brown; underparts show white 'twin' spots along the sides. The male has a distinctive rosy-pink throat and upper breast; the female is paler and lacks the pronounced pink.
Diet
Primarily takes small grass and herb seeds, often from Panicum and other seeding grasses. Supplements diet with small invertebrates, especially during the breeding season to feed nestlings. Forages quietly and methodically near or on the ground and among low seed heads.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within dense undergrowth, along forest edges, and in thicket mosaics where seeding grasses are abundant. Often stays close to protective cover, moving between shadowed patches and low shrubs.
