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

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 359

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 66

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 186

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 70

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 47

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 124

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 54

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 400

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 432

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 597

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 754

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 755

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 426

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 585

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 320

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 426

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 115

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 141

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 147

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 189

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 74

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 38

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 220

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 118

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 266

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 82

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 115

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 220

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 224

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 31

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 285

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 31

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 318

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List of South African Birds