The Common
Waxbill - Estrilda astrild - is native to sub Saharan Africa. It has
been introduced to many parts of the world. Common Waxbills inhabit open
country with long grass and rank vegetation. They are often found near water in
marshes and among reeds... They can become tame and will enter gardens, parks
and farmland.
Description
It is a small
bird, with a slender body, short rounded wings and a long graduated tail. The
bright red bill of the adult gives the bird its name. The plumage is mostly
grey-brown, finely barred with dark brown. There is a red stripe through the
eye and the cheeks and throat are whitish. There is often a pinkish flush to
the underparts and a reddish stripe along the centre of the belly. The rump is
brown and the tail and vent are dark/black. Black
undertail coverts, with black legs and feet. Females are similar to the males
but are paler with less red on the belly. Juveniles are duller with little or
no red on the belly, fainter dark barring and a black bill.
Call
The Common
Waxbill has a variety of twittering and buzzing calls and a distinctive
high-pitched flight-call. Only the cock sings. Two low, harsh notes followed by
a "throaty bubbling" note with a rising inflection.
Food
The diet consists
mainly of grass seeds but insects are also eaten on occasions, especially
during the breeding season when more protein is needed. These waxbills
typically forage in flocks. They usually feed by clinging to the stems with
their long, spindly claws and picking from the flower heads but they will also
search for fallen seeds on the ground. They need to drink regularly as the
seeds contain little water.
Breeding
The nest is a
large ball of criss-crossed grass stems with a long downward-pointing entrance
tube on one side. The nest is built the male, consisting of a horizontal
pear-shaped structure with a tubular entrance tunnel, made of stems and
inflorescences of green grass, while the egg chamber is lined by the female
with fine grass and feathers. Additionally a partially enclosed cup may be
built on top of the main structure, possibly to confuse predators. It is
typically placed on the ground, with the entrance overlooking a small patch of
bare soil, although it may also be concealed in thick vegetation about 1-3
metres above ground. The egg-laying season is year round, peaking from
September-October in the Western Cape.
Four to seven white eggs are laid. They are incubated for 11 to 13 days and the
young birds fledge 17 to 21 days after hatching. Both parents take part in
incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Conservation Status – Least Concern
Not threatened. This
species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the
thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion. The species is
widespread and common.
Bird watching
These beautiful
little birds can be seen on the following Aves
Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Arid Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour
/ Safari Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.