The pink-throated twinspot, an estrildid finch belonging to the family Estrildidae, captivates onlookers with its striking appearance. Also known as hypargos margaritas, which translates to “a small monster with a hundred pearly eyes,” this bird’s distinct pattern and colors give it an otherworldly, fairy-tale-like charm.
The pink-throated twinspot boasts a plump body and a polka-dotted belly, similar to other twinspots.
However, its distinguishing feature is the guava pink hue on its face, throat, and crown, which makes it stand out in any setting.
Watch the video at the end.
While both males and females share the same name, only the males possess the stunning pink shade on their coats.
Female pink-throated twinspots have a mix of brown tones, with eye-catching white polka dots adorning the black patches on their underparts.
Native to South Africa, these enchanting birds can be found in regions such as Mozambique, Eswatini, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.
Their preferred habitats include dry savannas, moist subtropical or tropical shrublands, dense woodlands, palm savannas, and forest edges.
Primarily feeding on grass seeds, pink-throated twinspots are also known to consume insects in captivity.
Although their breeding habits remain largely unknown due to the scarcity of nests found in the wild, it is reported that females typically lay three to four eggs. Chicks raised in captivity rely on their parents’ care for 20 to 21 days.
Currently, the pink-throated twinspot population is stable, and the species is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Watch the video below:
Via: One Big Birdcage