Photo: Nigel Voaden from UK / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Grey Waxbill
Glaucestrilda perreini
Grey Waxbill (Glaucestrilda perreini) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Grey Waxbill (Glaucestrilda perreini) 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 Glaucestrilda
- Species perreini
Quick facts
- Weight
- 7.4 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey 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 Grey Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey Waxbill (Glaucestrilda perreini) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF wc, c, se.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 7.4 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 4.7 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey Waxbill?
The Grey Waxbill is a very small bird that weighs around 7.4 g.
Where does the Grey Waxbill live?
The Grey Waxbill is found across Africa with a range covering AF wc, c, se, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Grey Waxbill belong to?
The Grey Waxbill (Glaucestrilda perreini) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Grey Waxbill eat?
The Grey Waxbill is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Grey Waxbill migrate?
The Grey Waxbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Grey Waxbill make?
1 real field recording of the Grey 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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