The Angola waxbill is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Angola. Some taxonomists consider it to be conspecific with the swee waxbill.
Region
Southwest Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in upland Angola, frequenting rank grasslands, edges of woodland, riverine thickets, and lightly wooded scrub. It favors ecotones where seeding grasses meet shrub cover, and it will use secondary growth and cultivated margins. Birds often keep low, moving between cover while feeding, and may visit damp areas for fresh seed. Nesting typically occurs in dense grass or low bushes, where ball-shaped nests are concealed.
Altitude Range
800–2200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The Angola waxbill is an estrildid finch confined to Angola’s uplands and is sometimes treated as conspecific with the swee waxbill. It forages quietly in small groups and is often overlooked in grassy edges and scrub. The bright red bill is a key field mark and may intensify in color during the breeding season.
Temperament
shy and discreet
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family parties, sometimes joining mixed waxbill flocks outside breeding season. Pairs are monogamous and build neat, ball-shaped grass nests low in dense vegetation. They are cautious at open edges, often retreating quickly into cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft series of high, tinkling notes and thin twitters, often given from within cover. Contact calls are high, sibilant tseet notes used to keep small groups coordinated.
Plumage
Compact waxbill with smooth, fine-textured plumage; olive-green upperparts with a yellowish rump and grey underparts. Males show a contrasting dark facial mask and throat, while females are duller with a greyer face and less contrast. Tail is dark with subtle gloss; wings are dusky-olive.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small grass seeds, including those of seeding annuals along paths and field margins. It supplements with small insects such as termites and other arthropods, especially during breeding when protein demand is higher. Birds husk seeds deftly with their stout conical bills.
Preferred Environment
Forages low in rank grass, at the bases of stems, and in weedy patches near scrub or water. Often uses sheltered edges and abandoned fields where seed availability remains high.
