The species is also fond of paspalum grass "Paspalum longifolium", bullrush millet "Pennisetum typhoides" and "Sorghum" species. It has also been recorded that it feeds on feral millet "Pannicum maximum" and wild sugar cane "Saccharum robustum" in Papua New Guinea (Bapista 1990). Origin and phylogeny has been obtained by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena "et al." Estrildinae may have originated in India and dispersed thereafter (towards Africa and Pacific Ocean habitats).