While female purple grenadiers may not be as eye-catching as their male counterparts, they still exude vibrancy. They too wear blue eye patches, although in a more silvery-blue shade. Their underparts are light brown, flecked with white, while the upperparts are primarily brown.
Juvenile birds resemble females but are mostly an unbarred tawny-brown color, sporting a reddish-brown bill.
These stunning birds can be found in Eastern Africa, specifically in countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Purple grenadiers prefer to inhabit arid areas, particularly acacia thickets, thorn scrub, and occasionally open bushy regions. They can be found at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 1600 meters.
In their foraging habits, purple grenadiers predominantly search the ground for grass seeds and insects, such as termites and tiny spiders.
The breeding season for these birds starts during the rainy season, depending on when it begins in the country they inhabit. During this time, the male grabs hold of a grass stem or feather, placing it in his beak and bobbing his head up and down to attract a female. Once successful, the pair builds a nest in low shrubs, made from fine grass and lined with feathers. Within the nest, they lay 3 to 5 eggs, which are then incubated for up to 14 days.
The purple grenadier is regarded as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
