The streaky-headed seedeater or streaky-headed canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is an unobtrusive but widespread species in suitable habitats of southern Africa. Its presence in an area is revealed foremost by its callnotes.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from South Africa through Lesotho and Eswatini to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, in suitable open habitats. It frequents fynbos, karoo scrub, savanna edges, open woodland, riverine thickets, and cultivated lands. The species adapts well to suburban parks and gardens where seed sources are available. It is most common in areas with scattered shrubs or low trees, avoiding dense forest and treeless desert.
Altitude Range
0–3000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the streaky-headed canary, it is an unobtrusive finch whose presence is often revealed by its sharp call notes. It readily uses human-modified habitats, including gardens and farm edges, and often joins small mixed flocks outside the breeding season. During breeding, it supplements its mainly seed diet with small invertebrates.
C. g. humilis feeding on the fruit of a Cape fig, Western Cape
C. g. endemion feeding on redgum seeds in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief undulations
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups; forms loose flocks outside the breeding season and may mix with other canaries and seedeaters. Nests are small cups placed in shrubs or low trees, with 2–4 eggs. Both parents participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, canary-like twitter of trills and tinkling notes, delivered from a perch or during short song flights. Contact calls are sharp, high-pitched 'tsee' or 'tik' notes that often betray its presence.
Plumage
Overall brownish to grey-brown with fine dark streaking, especially on the crown and face, and a paler, lightly streaked throat and breast. Back and wings show darker streaks with pale edging to the coverts; underparts are buffy to greyish with variable streaking on the sides. Tail is brown with slightly paler fringes.
Diet
Primarily eats small seeds of grasses and forbs, also taking buds and soft plant material. During the breeding season it includes small insects and other invertebrates for added protein. It forages both on the ground and in low vegetation, often picking seeds directly from seed heads.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along weedy verges, fallow fields, shrub edges, and open woodland understories. In towns and farms, it visits seed-rich lawns, garden beds, and feeding trays.
