Shelley's oliveback, also known as the Fernando Po oliveback, is a species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 55,000 km2.
Region
Gulf of Guinea islands and adjacent West-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Primarily associated with Bioko Island, where it uses forest edges, clearings, secondary growth, and overgrown plantations. It favors dense undergrowth, vine tangles, and shrubby thickets near moist forest. The species will venture into farm-bush and along streams and paths where seeding grasses are abundant. It is generally local and patchy, often detected by its soft calls rather than by open perching.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the Fernando Po oliveback, this small estrildid finch is closely tied to forest edges and secondary growth on Bioko Island. It is often inconspicuous, moving in small groups through thickets and tangles. Like many waxbills, it feeds mainly on tiny seeds but will also take small invertebrates, especially when breeding.
Temperament
quiet, skulking, and moderately social
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between low perches
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small family parties, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks at forest edge. Pairs are likely monogamous and defend small nesting areas within dense cover. Nests are typically domed structures of grasses hidden in thickets or vine tangles.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, high-pitched twitters and thin tsee notes given from cover. Song is a simple series of delicate, sibilant phrases, easily lost in background insect noise.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a plain back, contrasting with paler grayish underparts that can show subtle fine barring on the flanks. The head is dusky to gray-olive with a small, stout bill. Overall appearance is muted and well-camouflaged in foliage.
Diet
Feeds mainly on tiny grass and sedge seeds, often plucked directly from seed heads. Supplements diet with small insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season for protein. Will also take tender plant material and the seeds of herbaceous weeds along paths and clearings.
Preferred Environment
Forages low in dense vegetation at forest edges, in secondary growth, and in overgrown plantations. Frequently works along trails, stream margins, and scrubby clearings where seeding grasses are abundant.
