Photo: tommy_andriollo / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Crimson-rumped Waxbill
Estrilda rhodopyga
Crimson-rumped Waxbill (Estrilda rhodopyga) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill (Estrilda rhodopyga) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 7.7 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Estrildidae Waxbills, Munias & Allies
- Genus Estrilda
- Species rhodopyga
Quick facts
- Weight
- 7.7 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill (Estrilda rhodopyga) is a species of bird in the Estrildidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF ne, e.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 7.7 g, with a wing length of about 4.7 cm and a tail of around 4.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crimson-rumped Waxbill?
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill is a very small bird that weighs around 7.7 g.
Where does the Crimson-rumped Waxbill live?
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill is found across Africa with a range covering AF ne, e, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Crimson-rumped Waxbill belong to?
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill (Estrilda rhodopyga) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Crimson-rumped Waxbill eat?
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Crimson-rumped Waxbill migrate?
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crimson-rumped Waxbill endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Crimson-rumped Waxbill make?
1 real field recording of the Crimson-rumped Waxbill — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Crimson-rumped Waxbill's range?
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill has a mapped global range of about 1.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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