Amandava subflava
The Orange-breasted Waxbill, Amandava subflava, is a diminutive and vibrant estrildid finch, measuring approximately 9-10 cm in length and weighing a mere 5-9 grams. Males are particularly striking, showcasing a bright orange breast, typically fading to pale yellow or white on the belly, contrasting with olive-green upperparts and a distinctive red rump. Fine dark barring often adorns the flanks, and a small red bill adds to its charm. Females exhibit a duller coloration, with less extensive ...
This adaptable waxbill primarily inhabits open grasslands, savannas, scrublands, and cultivated areas, often near water sources. It thrives from sea level up to elevations of approximately 2,000 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of small grass seeds, which they glean from the ground or extract directly from grass heads. They supplement this with small invertebrates, particularly termites and aphids, especially during the breeding season.
Orange-breasted Waxbills are diurnal and highly gregarious, often observed foraging in small flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other small estrildids. They roost communally in dense vegetation or tall grasses at night. Foraging involves meticulously gleaning small seeds an...
The Orange-breasted Waxbill boasts an extensive distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Senegal and Mauritania in the west, eastward through the Sahel zone to Eritrea and Ethiopia, and southward throughout much of East and Southern Africa. This broad native range encompasses count...
Least Concern
- The Orange-breasted Waxbill is one of Africa's smallest passerines, often weighing less than a quarter of an ounce. - Despite its vivid plumage, it is incredibly camouflaged within tall grasslands, making it challenging to spot until it moves. - Males perform an elaborate 'dance' during courtsh...