The African Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) is mostly found on the ground foraging for food – although typically associated with swamps, marshes and wooded scrub near water, several populations occur in dry savannahs and desert fringes; farms and pastures may be colonised as well. In contrast to all other waxbills, it walks rather than hops. Also known as the Partridge Finch or Common Quailfinch, it has a number of subspecies and covers most of Africa apart from the most northern areas. The bill is red during the breeding season, though the upper beak changes to black when not breeding.
