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The African finch Estrilda astrild is the only exotic bird other than the pigeon to have successfully colonized central Amazonia. The species distribution in Brasil is reviewed. E. astrild has gained a foothold in Amazonia by exploiting grasses native to its original home in Africa. The species potential for agricultural damage is small unless it adapts to feeding on rice. It appears unlikely that E. astrild will displace any native birds.