THE blue waxbill is a small bird, measuring only 12cm in length.
Locally it is a common resident in the north east of South Africa.
It likes open thornveld with grass and bushes, riverine bush, gardens and sometimes the edges of evergreen forests.
The blue waxbill has an urgent sounding call, sweep or ‘tseep’ and a harsh, stuttering, rattling alarm note.
They are found in pairs when breeding, otherwise in flocks of up to 40 birds. They feed on insects or seeds, foraging on the ground or may hawk the insects in flight.
When disturbed, it flies to the nearest tree or bush, with rattling wing beats. They soon return to the ground when disturbances cease.
In courtship, the male holds straw in his bill while singing and bouncing up and down.
They become tame around human settlements.
The bird’s nest is a ball of dry grass stems with a side entrance which is lined with fine grass and feathers. They lay four to five white eggs. Incubation is 11 to 12 days and the young are nestlings for 17 to 21 days.
The Zulu name is bloo iNtiyane and in Afrikaans, the bird is known as gewone blousysie.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
