Common Waxbill
Estrilda astrild
Wetlands. Red mask, bill and central belly; brown-barred below.
Finches, Mannikins, Twinspots, Waxbills
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. Red bill, facial skin and underbelly distinctive; immature has blackish bill. The call is ‘chik-chik-ZEEE, chik-chik-ZEEE’, descending on the third syllable. Small or large flocks occur on grassy riverbanks, reed beds, vleis and rank vegetation bordering cultivated lands. Very active birds, flocks always flying off in straggling procession from place to place. Feeds on the ground and on seeding grasses. Is the primary host of Pin-tailed Whydah.
Quick Facts
Size
13 cm - S
Names
A: Rooibeksysie
Z: intiyanejwayelekile
Ss: Borane-Mpatsoku
G: Wellenastrild
Bird Family
Small, conical-billed, ground- or grass-feeding seed-eaters, although some will also eat insects. They usually have colourful plumage, although females are usually more drab than males. They generally occur in pairs, or are gregarious when not breeding.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Small or large flocks occur on grassy riverbanks, reed beds, vleis and rank vegetation bordering cultivated lands.
