Cut-throat finch Cut-throat finch The cut-throat finch ("Amadina fasciata") is a common species of estrildid finch found throughout Africa; it is also known as the bearded finch, the ribbon finch, the cut throat, and the weaver finch. The cut-throat finch has plumage that is pale, sandy brown with flecks of black all over. They have a black-brown tail, a thick white chin and cheeks, and a chestnut brown patch on the belly. The legs are a pink fleshy colour. The adult male has a bright red band across its throat (thus the name "cut throat"), while the male juveniles have a slightly
Purple-crowned fairywren or reddish-chocolate in females) and the deep blue colour of their perky tails. Subspecies designation was originally based on differences in plumage coloration and body size of museum skins. More recent genetic analyses continue to support this split. The species was first collected in 1855 and 1856 by the surgeon J. R. Elsey at Victoria River and Robinson River. Alternative names for the purple-crowned fairywren include crowned superb warbler, lilac-crowned fairywren, lilac-crowned wren, mauve-crowned wren, purple-crowned warbler, purple-crowned wren, and purple-crowned wren-warbler. Two subspecies are currently recognized: The purple-crowned fairywren is a sexually dimorphic, small bird measuring approximately 14 cm