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.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	843	Estrilda astrild astrild
2nd	843	Estrilda astrild
3rd	843	Estrilda astrild
4th	843	Estrilda astrild
5th	846	Estrilda astrild
6th	846	Estrilda astrild
7th	876	Estrilda astrild

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	843	Common Waxbill
2nd	843	Common Waxbill
3rd	843	Common Waxbill
4th	843	Common Waxbill
5th	846	Common Waxbill
6th	846	Common Waxbill
7th	876	Common Waxbill

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	843	Gewone Rooibekkie
2nd	843	Rooibekkie
3rd	843	Rooibekkie
4th	843	Rooibekkie
5th	846	Rooibeksysie
6th	846	Rooibeksysie
7th	876	Rooibeksysie

References and further reading

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

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 63

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 454

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

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 330

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 45

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 Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 196

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

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 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

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

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

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

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds