Kingdom Animalia Scientific name Paludipasser locustella Higher classification Paludipasser Order Passerine | Family Estrildidae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Genus Paludipasser
Neave, 1909 Similar Ortygospiza, Brown firefinch, Grant's bluebill, African quailfinch, Jameson's antpecker | ||
The locust finch or locustfinch (Paludipasser locustella) is a species of estrildid finch found in south-east Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Angola, Tanzania, Malawi (central region), Mozambique (rare), Zimbabwe (rare) and Botswana. It is the only species in the genus Paludipasser. It is sometimes placed in the genus Ortygospiza.
Threats
The locust finch was previously listed as near threatened. However, due to lack of information, it was suggested that it remains widespread and locally common, and there is no evidence of significant declines. The population of this species may have declined for the past few decades due to a series of droughts in the 1980s. It is threatened by the cage-bird trade and loss of marshland habitat, partly due to dry periods.