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Common Waxbill
Afrikaans name: Rooibeksysie
Common Waxbill
Photo © Steven Herbert
Estrilda astrild
The name of Common Waxbill is merited as this is a common species that is found over most of Africa. It is also popular as a cage bird.
The Common Waxbill is normally encountered in flocks in grassland or wetlands. The main part of their diet is grass seeds but they will take some small insects as well.
Their nest is made in dense vegetation. It is normally position low down. The female can lay up to 7 eggs.
The male Common Waxbill has brighter colours than the female.
In some regions the Common Waxbill is known as the St. Helena Waxbill.
References and further reading
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 31Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 115
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Year Published: - Page: 220
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 82
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 220
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 189
Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 141
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 755
Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 754
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 432