Photo: (c) Jacky Judas, some rights reserved (CC BY) / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Arabian Waxbill
Estrilda rufibarba
Arabian Waxbill (Estrilda rufibarba) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Europe & Northern Asia.
The Arabian Waxbill (Estrilda rufibarba) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 8.5 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 rufibarba
Where it lives
Southwestern Saudi Arabia and western, central Yemen (southwestern Arabian Pen.)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.5 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Arabian Waxbill is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Arabian Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Arabian Waxbill (Estrilda rufibarba) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL sw Saudi Arabia and w, c Yemen (sw Arabian Pen.).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.5 g, with a wing length of about 4.8 cm and a tail of around 4.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 86,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Arabian Waxbill?
The Arabian Waxbill is a very small bird that weighs around 8.5 g.
Where does the Arabian Waxbill live?
The Arabian Waxbill is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL sw Saudi Arabia and w, c Yemen (sw Arabian Pen.), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Arabian Waxbill belong to?
The Arabian Waxbill (Estrilda rufibarba) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Arabian Waxbill eat?
The Arabian Waxbill is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Arabian Waxbill migrate?
The Arabian Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Arabian 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 Arabian Waxbill make?
1 real field recording of the Arabian 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 Arabian Waxbill's range?
The Arabian Waxbill has a mapped global range of about 86,000 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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