Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Common Waxbill

This is the 43rd in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be the Common Waxbill.

Despite its Common Waxbill name, for us this little bird is rather uncommon. This pretty little bird, with its engaging eye-mask and ribbed front, washed with red, is not usually visible around Pigeon Valley, it is a bird I encounter more often in the countryside. However, I see it more frequently now than in the past.

Its presence is a reminder of how successful the seed-eaters (though most will also take insects) have been in recent years in the reserve We now have Green Twinspots, Bronze and Red-backed Mannikins, African and Red-billed Firefinches, Grey and Common Waxbills. For the first time this year, I have seen Village Indigo-birds (which parasitise Red-billed Firefinches) and the other day a Red-headed Finch, far out of its normal range.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The alate emergences

The Pin-tailed Whydah itself parasitises Common Waxbills, and seeing it hanging around thee Glenwood reservoir this week suggests that the Common Waxbills may be breeding nearby. They are a part of the rich variety of the reserve.

Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.

The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.

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