Species Profile
Lavender Waxbill
Glaucestrilda coerulescens
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
5–7 years
Length
9–10 cm
Weight
8–15 g
Wingspan
12–14 cm
Migration
Resident
Also known as: Lavender Finch, Red-tailed Waxbill, Estrilda coerulescens
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Appearance
The Lavender Waxbill is a tiny, slender finch with a distinctive lavender-grey plumage that covers most of its body. Its face, throat, and upper breast are washed with a soft blue tint, while the top of the tail and undertail coverts are red.
Both sexes look mostly similar, with a small, bright, pinkish-grey beak, a small black stripe across the eyes and black legs. Females usually have darker underparts, although its hard to tell the sexes apart.
Juveniles have paler plumage, no black eyestripe and less red colouring on the undertail coverts and tail.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- Purple
- Beak
- Pink
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Lavender Waxbills are native to sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to northern South Africa. They inhabit open grasslands, savannahs, and woodland edges, often near water sources.
These birds are non-migratory and maintain a relatively stable distribution throughout the year. They have been successfully introduced to Hawaii in the United States.
Distribution
Diet
Lavender Waxbills primarily feed on small grass seeds, which they gather from the ground or directly from seed heads.
They supplement their diet with insects, especially during the breeding season when protein-rich food is essential for chick development. They often forage in mixed-species flocks.
Behaviour
Lavender Waxbills are highly social birds, often seen in small flocks of 10-20 individuals, sometimes with other finches. They forage on the ground, moving with quick, jerky movements as they search for seeds.
During courtship, males perform a bouncing dance, holding a piece of grass in their beak while singing to attract females.
Calls & Sounds
The Lavender Waxbill has a high-pitched, thin voice. Their most common call is a soft, sweet 'tseee-tseee' or 'tsit-tsit'.
During courtship, males produce a more complex song, a series of rapid, tinkling notes that sound like 'tsee-tsee-tsee-tseewee-tseewee', often accompanied by their bouncing dance.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs during the rainy season, which varies across their range (August to September in Senegal and Gambia, October to November in Nigeria). Lavender Waxbills form monogamous pairs and engage in mutual preening and courtship feeding before mating.
The nest is a large, domed structure made of fine grasses with a side entrance. It's typically built in low bushes or tall grass, often near the ground. The female lays 4-6 small white eggs.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 11-12 days. The chicks fledge after approximately 17-21 days but continue to be fed by their parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation
While the Lavender Waxbill is currently listed as Least Concern, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and overgrazing poses a potential threat.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving grassland and savannah habitats, which are crucial for this species and many other African birds.
Elevation
Up to 1,500 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Main predators include small raptors such as sparrowhawks, shrikes, and snakes. Domestic cats can also be a threat in areas close to human habitation.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for small flocks in grassy areas near water sources
- Listen for their soft, high-pitched 'tseee-tseee' calls
- Observe their distinctive lavender-grey plumage and red beak
- Watch for their characteristic bouncing movements while foraging
Did You Know?
- Lavender Waxbills often incorporate spider webs into their nests, which may help bind the structure together.
- They have special heat-dissipating blood vessels in their bills to help regulate body temperature.
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