Photo: claudekolwelter / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-cheeked Waxbill
Brunhilda charmosyna
Black-cheeked Waxbill (Brunhilda charmosyna) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-cheeked Waxbill (Brunhilda charmosyna) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 7.4 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Estrildidae Waxbills, Munias & Allies
- Genus Brunhilda
- Species charmosyna
Quick facts
- Weight
- 7.4 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 Black-cheeked Waxbill is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Black-cheeked Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-cheeked Waxbill (Brunhilda charmosyna) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 7.4 g, with a wing length of about 5.2 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-cheeked Waxbill?
The Black-cheeked Waxbill is a very small bird that weighs around 7.4 g.
Where does the Black-cheeked Waxbill live?
The Black-cheeked Waxbill is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Black-cheeked Waxbill belong to?
The Black-cheeked Waxbill (Brunhilda charmosyna) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black-cheeked Waxbill eat?
The Black-cheeked Waxbill is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Black-cheeked Waxbill migrate?
The Black-cheeked Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Black-cheeked Waxbill make?
1 real field recording of the Black-cheeked Waxbill — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
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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