The purple indigobird is a species of bird in the family Viduidae. It is a brood parasite and parasitizes Jameson's Firefinch. It is also known as the dusky indigobird, a name which can refer to Vidua funerea. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitat is dry savanna.
Region
Southern and East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in dry savanna, open woodland edges, and bushy grasslands, often near human-modified landscapes such as fields and village margins. Prefers areas where its host, Jameson's firefinch, is present. It uses thickets, riparian scrub, and miombo or mopane edges rather than dense forest. Avoids true deserts and high, closed montane forest.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The purple indigobird is a brood parasite that specializes on Jameson's firefinch, laying its eggs in the host's nest. Males famously mimic the calls and songs of their host species, a behavior that helps attract females imprinted on that host. Identification can be tricky because females and non-breeding males resemble small brown finches.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Males display from prominent perches and defend small song territories, especially where hosts occur. The species is a brood parasite, laying eggs in the nests of Jameson's firefinch; young are raised entirely by the host. Pair bonds are loose, and females typically specialize on the same host species as the one they were reared by.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Male song is a rapid series of buzzy notes, clicks, and trills that includes clear mimicry of Jameson's firefinch calls. Calls include thin tseet notes and dry chipping, often delivered persistently from exposed perches.
Plumage
Breeding males are uniformly glossy dark purplish-blue to blackish with a metallic sheen; non-breeding males and females are brown, finely streaked, and sparrow-like.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small grass seeds and other plant material picked from the ground or low vegetation. Will also take small insects, especially termites and ants, which can be important during breeding. Often forages alongside other small finches in mixed feeding groups.
Preferred Environment
Open grassy areas, field margins, and bushy savanna where seeds are abundant. Frequently near villages, tracks, and watercourses with weedy growth, and in areas occupied by firefinches.
