Waxbills and Estrilid Finches: Family Estrildidae

Waxbills and Estrilid Finches make up a family of Old World, sparrow-like Passerines. While being native to Africa, Asia and Australia, these birds find their way to the New World as pets. Because they are small, quiet and easy to maintain, these birds make great pets and many of the popular finches bought at a pet store or a breeder are Waxbills and Estrilid Finches. The species drastically vary in color, often streaked in yellow, blue, green, and red, and have a thick, strong beak. Almost all the species in this family are granivorous and crack the shells of seeds with their beak.

Romance and Smooth Tweeting

Males of this family impress females by putting on courtships displays in which the males sings and dances, often with a piece of nest-building material in his mouth (Vaudeville Finches!). The male will sometimes jump off his branch, fly around in a circle, and land back on the same branch, to show off his aerial acrobatics to the female. Once he has attracted the female, the two will mate for life. Though they mate for life, the male still puts on his courtship displays periodically to stregthen their bond (Adorable!). Most species build large dome-shaped nests, often perching on top and living inside. Sometimes the pair will build a false dome, on top of the original nest, to confuse predators.

Sister Sparrow Sub-Family and other Taxonomic Sisters Silliness

Waxbills and Estrilid Finches were referred to as a sub-family within the Sparrow family (Passeridae), but are now grouped as ther own family. Waxbills, Estrilid Finches and Sparrows are all very similar but the Estrillidae family is far more colorful. They recieved 'Family' status in 2008.

Both the Waxbills and Estrillid Finches evolved shortly after a major Himalayan upheaval, around 17 million years ago, in India. There are now 25 genera and 140 species, genera include:

Genus Parmoptila (Antpeckers)
Genus Nesocharis (Olivebacks)
Genus Pytilia (Pytilias)
Genus Mandingoa (Green-backed Twinspot)
Genus Cryptospiza (Crimson-wings)
Genus Pyrenestes (Seedcrackers)
Genus Spermophaga (Bluebills)
Genera Clytospiza (Twinspots)
Genus Lagonosticta (Firefinches)
Cordon-bleus, genus Uraeginthus
Genus Estrilda (Waxbills)
Genus Amandava (Red Avadavat)
Genus Ortygospiza (Quailfinches)
Genera Emblema (Firetails)
Genera Stagonopleura (Firetails)
Genera Oreostruthus (Firetails)
Genus Neochmia (Firetails)
Genus Taeniopygia (Zebra Finch, Double Barred Finch)
Genus Poephila (Masked, Long-tailed and Black-Throated Finch)
Genus Erythrura (Parrot Finches)
Genus Chloebia (Gouldian Finch)
Genus Lonchura (Munias and Silverbills)
Genus Heteromunia (Pictorella Munias)
Genus Padda (Java Sparrows)
Genus Amadina (Cut Throats)