Newsletter / Blog
2012-01-25 Which bird is the world’s most abundant?
The Red-billed Quelea - Quelea quelea - is the world's most abundant bird species at
up to 10 billion. It is found in most of sub-Saharan Africa,
excluding the tropical rainforests. Their life expectancy is two to three
years.
Description
During breeding
the male is distinguished by its more colorful plumage and red bill. Breeding
plumage in male queleas is unusually variable: comprising a facial mask which
ranges from black to white in color, and breast and crown plumage which varies
from yellowish to bright red. For the rest of the year male plumage resembles
that of the female, which is a cryptic beige coloration. The female's bill is
yellow during breeding, and red during the non-breeding season.
Call
Flocks make a
chittering noise. The birds song is a jumble of harsh and melodious notes.
Food
The food consists
of annual grasses, seeds and grain.
Breeding
Breeding is
localized and erratic but often colonies include tens of thousands to millions
of pairs. The breeding season begins with the seasonal rains, which come at
different times in different parts of their range. Large breeding colonies
occur in the Kruger national Park.
Conservation Status
– Least Concern
They are regarded
as pests by farmers because they can eliminate fields in a short period of time.
Due to the numbers and localized decimation of cereal crops, control actions
have been undertaken. As many as 150-180 million birds have been killed but
this appeared to have no effect on the overall quelea population and only
temporary relief from crop damage. Unfortunately, many non-target birds
appeared to have also been killed in these control operations and may have had
severe population deprivations as a result.
Bird watching
These birds can
be seen on the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Arid Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour
/ Safari / Adventure.
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