Comoros Fody

The Comoros Fody has a strong sexual dimorphism. In its nuptial plumage the male can be mistaken for other fodies in the Indian Ocean. It differs by having a restricted red colour on its head and chest. The lores, however, remain black. The belly is gray. The back and coverts are brown-black with large black streaks. The rectrices are also brown-black and the rump is uniform. The black and conical beak is stronger than that of the red fody. The iris is brown. The tarses and toes are pink.
The back of the female is identical to that of the male. The crown, nape and back are striped. The rump, the same colour as the back, is uniform like that of the male. The forehead is light with a slight eyebrow. The coverts have light brown streaks. The throat and breast are yellowish gray going towards a light gray on the flanks. The beak and tarses are pink-gray.
Males in eclipse and juveniles resemble females. At this stage, only bill and song can tell them apart from other fodies.