Lagonosticta larvata
Black-faced Firefinch
A small estrildid finch with strikingly different male and female plumage: males have a black face contrasting with pale grey-to-rosy underparts, while females are grey-brown with a reddish tint below and a pale undertail. In The Gambia it occurs in woodland, grassland and thickets, often near water, sometimes mixing with other waxbills.
Identification
The black male face (not black belly or barring) separates it from other regional firefinches such as Bar-breasted Firefinch (barred underparts) and Black-bellied Firefinch (black belly, no black face).
Want to see the Black-faced Firefinch?
Join Yaya on a trip to one of the sites below, or ask about an itinerary built around it — he'll help you plan the best way to find it in the field.
Tours that target this bird
A carefully paced 15-day tour from the Atlantic coast through the mangrove-lined River Gambia and into the eastern part of the country, balancing serious birding with rest, wildlife and Gambian culture. Around 300 species are possible depending on season.
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