Coccopygia melanotis
The Swee Waxbill, *Coccopygia melanotis*, is a diminutive and engaging passerine bird renowned for its vibrant, yet subtle, plumage and distinctive call. Measuring a mere 9-10 cm in length and weighing just 7-8 grams, it boasts an olive-green upperparts, a brilliant crimson rump, and a soft greyish-white belly. A key identification feature lies in its head coloration: males display a striking black facial mask, extending from the lores to the ear coverts, contrasting sharply with a dark red b...
Primarily found in forest edges, clearings, shrubland, thickets, and gardens, often in areas with tall grass and near water sources. It inhabits elevations from sea level up to 3,000 meters.
Feeds predominantly on small grass seeds gleaned from the ground or directly from grass heads, supplemented with small invertebrates such as termites, aphids, and spiders, especially during the breeding season.
Swee Waxbills are highly active, diurnal birds that forage constantly, typically in pairs or small family groups, but sometimes joining larger mixed flocks outside the breeding season. They exhibit a characteristic ground-gleaning foraging strategy, darting through vegetation and climbing grass s...
The Swee Waxbill boasts a wide, disjunct distribution across Southern and Eastern Africa, generally considered a resident species with local movements rather than long-distance migration. The nominate subspecies, *C. m. melanotis*, is found in Southern Africa, ranging from the Western Cape and Ea...
Least Concern
- The Swee Waxbill gets its name from its distinctive, high-pitched 'swee-swee' call. - It is one of the smallest true finches found in Africa, often going unnoticed due to its size and camouflage. - Males and females are easily distinguished by their facial patterns; males have a striking black ...