Purple Grenadier

Granatina ianthinogaster

A vibrant ball of blue and purple feathers, this tiny finch adds a splash of tropical color to grasslands and savannas across eastern Africa.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Purple Grenadier is a striking small finch. Males showcase vibrant blue and purple plumage. Their bodies are predominantly violet-blue, contrasting with a chestnut-brown belly and flanks. The face features a distinctive red mask around the eyes.

Females are less colorful, with mostly brown plumage, but still display a blue tail and rump. Both sexes have red beaks and pink legs, contributing to their eye-catching appearance.

Juveniles are quite similar to females, but they lack patches on the face and the spots and barring on the chest.

Size

Length

11cm to 13cm

Wingspan

14cm to 16cm

Weight

10g to 14g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Blue Purple

Secondary Colour

Brown Red

Beak Colour

Red

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Blue

Beak Colour (Female)

Red

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Purple Grenadier can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Purple Grenadier is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Purple Grenadier can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Purple Grenadiers inhabit savanna and grassland regions across eastern Africa, from Ethiopia and Somalia south to Tanzania and east to Kenya. They prefer areas with scattered trees and shrubs, often near water sources.

These birds are non-migratory, maintaining their presence in suitable habitats year-round. They may make local movements in response to seasonal changes in food availability or rainfall patterns.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Purple Grenadier. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons