A bird with a bright red mask and belly
This bird’s vivid red face and breast stand out against its white and black flecked background.
Small passerine birds belonging to the estrildid finch family include the St Helena waxbill (Estrilda astrild), also called the common waxbill.
The upper parts of this small bird, which measures 4 to 5 inches (12.7 centimetres) in length, are grey and are delicately and conspicuously banded grey brown.
Their flanks have dark grey bands on their pinkish-beige underparts.
The centre of the belly is covered with a long, prominent, vivid crimson patch.
The tips are black and white, while the vent and undertail coverings are a dark grey colour.
The only differences between men and females are that females are lighter and have a belly red patch that is less obvious.
Juveniles lack a red belly patch, which makes them duller.
Foraging grounds for the Common Waxbill are dry, grassy areas with wilted plants.
Additionally, they like cities and open meadows. Additionally widespread are clearings and the edges of woodlands.
It’s not surprising that they appreciate grass seeds discovered on the ground in the ears of grass given their preference for expansive pasturelands.
The nest is covered with grass and is formed of grass. It appears to be a ground-level ball of grass and coconut fibre with a tunnel-like entrance already there.
Up to four eggs, which are laid within and are then incubated for about 10 days by both the male and female, are carried by each.
The young are finally fledged after 21 days after sharing feeding duties between both parents.
