Introduction: Common waxbills (Estrilda astrild) are usually found in reeds, rushes and grasses near water. They are also attracted to gardens and the ephemeral rivers of the Namib Desert, where seeding grasses provide food and suitable cover.

Distribution: Scattered and isolated populations can be found all over the country less for the southern Namib Desert. Common around the Orange River.

Diet: Forages whilst clinging upside down in trees and when on the ground. Eats flowers and seeds of a number of grasses and sedges. Also takes small insects.

Description: Pale grey-brown forehead to nape, with a bright-red/crimson eye stripe extending from the lores above and below the eye, thinning at the ear coverts. Upper parts and wing coverts are finely barred dark brown as are the rump and upper tail coverts.

Breeding: Both sexes build pear-shaped green grass nest, complete with a tubular entrance and false nest. From 3 to 9 eggs are laid from November to May and incubated for about 12 days.

Size: 12cm. Weight: 8g.

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