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Waxbills, Munias & Allies

Estrildid finches, or Estrildidae, are a group of small, tropical, seed-eating birds that includes munias, mannikins, firefinches, parrotfinches, and waxbills. Found primarily in the Old World tropics and Australasia, these finches are not closely related to the true finches of other families. These birds exhibit a variety of plumage colors and patterns but generally share similar structures and behaviors. They tend to be sociable and many species live in colonies. These birds use their short, thick, and pointed bills to feed on seeds and often build large, dome-shaped nests where they lay five to ten white eggs. Some species have also evolved to live in cooler climates, such as in southern Australia and New Guinea's highlands. Estrildids are sensitive to cold and require warm habitats; exceptions include species like the eastern alpine mannikin and the mountain firetail which can tolerate cooler temperatures. They range in size from the tiny 8.3 cm (3.3 in) Shelley's oliveback to the larger 17 cm (6.7 in) Java sparrow. In terms of taxonomy, the Estrildidae family was first introduced by Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1850. Modern studies conducted by Urban Olsson and Per Alström have proposed the division of the family into six clades or subfamilies, based on their genetic research. This family is also closely related to the Viduidae family, which includes indigobirds and whydahs, and it is believed that the two families diverged around 15.5 million years ago. The family consists of a diverse range of 139 species across 41 genera, showcasing a variety of adaptations and ecological niches within the passerine bird community.

Regions

Categories

African Firefinch

Lagonosticta rubricata

Angolan Waxbill

Coccopygia bocagei
A photo of a Black-faced Waxbill (Brunhilda erythronotos)

Black-faced Waxbill

Brunhilda erythronotos
A photo of a Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis)

Blue Waxbill

Uraeginthus angolensis
A photo of a Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullata)

Bronze Mannikin

Spermestes cucullata

Brown Firefinch

Lagonosticta nitidula

Cinderella Waxbill

Glaucestrilda thomensis
A photo of a Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild)

Common Waxbill

Estrilda astrild
A photo of a Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata) , male

Cut-throat Finch

Amadina fasciata

Green Twinspot

Mandingoa nitidula
A photo of a Green-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba) , male

Green-winged Pytilia

Pytilia melba
A photo of a Grey Waxbill (Glaucestrilda perreini)

Grey Waxbill

Glaucestrilda perreini
A photo of a Jameson's Firefinch (Lagonosticta rhodopareia) , male

Jameson's Firefinch

Lagonosticta rhodopareia

Lesser Seedcracker

Pyrenestes minor

Locust Finch

Paludipasser locustella

Magpie Mannikin

Spermestes fringilloides
A photo of a Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amandava subflava) , male

Orange-breasted Waxbill

Amandava subflava

Orange-winged Pytilia

Pytilia afra
A photo of a Pink-throated Twinspot (Hypargos margaritatus) , male

Pink-throated Twinspot

Hypargos margaritatus
A photo of a Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) , male

Quailfinch

Ortygospiza atricollis

Red-backed Mannikin

Spermestes nigriceps
A photo of a Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) , male

Red-billed Firefinch

Lagonosticta senegala

Red-faced Crimsonwing

Cryptospiza reichenovii
A photo of a Red-headed Finch (Amadina erythrocephala) , male

Red-headed Finch

Amadina erythrocephala

Red-throated Twinspot

Hypargos niveoguttatus
A photo of a Swee Waxbill (Coccopygia melanotis) , male

Swee Waxbill

Coccopygia melanotis
A photo of a Violet-eared Waxbill (Granatina granatina) , male

Violet-eared Waxbill

Granatina granatina

Yellow-bellied Waxbill

Coccopygia quartinia
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Species Categories

African & Green BroadbillsAfrican & New World ParrotsAfrican BarbetsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAustral Storm PetrelsBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsBushshrikesBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrab-ploverCranesCrombecs, African WarblersCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansFairy FlycatchersFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFinfootsFlamingosFlufftailsFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGround HornbillsGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHamerkopHerons, BitternsHoneyguidesHoopoesHornbillsHyliotasIbises, SpoonbillsIndigobirds, WhydahsJacanasKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesMonarchsMousebirdsNicatorsNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOspreysOstrichesOwlsOxpeckersOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenduline TitsPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRockjumpersRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesSecretarybirdSheathbillsShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSugarbirdsSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTrogonsTropicbirdsTuracosVangas & AlliesWagtails, PipitsWattle-eyes, BatisesWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWeavers, WidowbirdsWhite-eyesWood HoopoesWoodpeckersYellow Flycatchers

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