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Orange-breasted Waxbill | Sporaeginthus subflavus
The Orange-breasted Waxbill is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Estrildidae bird family group which includes birds such as Waxbills, Firefinches, Twinspots. The description for the Orange-breasted Waxbill (Latin name Sporaeginthus subflavus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Sporaeginthus subflavus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 854 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 1039. You will find a picture of the Orange-breasted Waxbill on page 1057. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. Neither the Latin nor the Engish name for this bird has been affected by recent nomenclature modifications ? these changes have been incorporated into Robert's 7th Edition where appropriate. The Orange-breasted Waxbill is known in Afrikaans as Rooiassie. The Orange-breasted Waxbill has a height of 10 cms and weighs around 7 gms. The head is coloured grey while the bill is coloured grey. The Sporaeginthus subflavus has a brown coloured throat, black legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Sporaeginthus subflavus has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is grey Eyes are brown Bill is grey Legs are black Throat is brown Back is grey Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground The Orange-breasted Waxbill is usually seen hunting for food within the tree foliage This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Orange-breasted Waxbill is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 3 to 7 eggs and they are coloured pink. The bird is mainly found in the Savanna grasslands where it breeds and feeds. The bird is found in the African bushveld Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
