The black-lored waxbill is a species of estrildid finch found around the Lualaba River and Lake Upemba in the southern part of The Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of less than 2,600 km2.
Region
Southern Congo Basin
Typical Environment
Confined to wetlands, floodplains, and rank grasslands around Lake Upemba and stretches of the Lualaba River. It favors marsh edges, reedbeds, and damp savanna with abundant seeding grasses. Birds often keep low in cover, moving between patches of tall grass and sedges. Adjacent scrub and the margins of miombo or riparian woodland may be used for perching and roosting.
Altitude Range
500–1400 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A little-known estrildid finch, the black-lored waxbill has a very restricted range around the Lualaba River and Lake Upemba in the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its name refers to the distinctive black lores—the area between the eye and the bill. It frequents dense grasses and wetland edges, where it can be easily overlooked despite often moving in small, quiet groups. Habitat changes to marshes and floodplains likely influence its local presence.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small groups that keep close to dense cover. Nests are likely built low in grasses or reeds, as in related waxbills. Courtship includes quiet contact calls and short chases through vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft series of thin, high-pitched twitters and sibilant notes, often given from within cover. Calls include brief tsee and seep contact notes used to keep groups together.
Plumage
Soft brown to grey-brown upperparts with paler grey underparts and fine dusky barring on the flanks; darker tail. Face shows a contrasting black lore patch and a bright, short red bill typical of waxbills.
Diet
Primarily feeds on small grass and sedge seeds, which it husks with its stout conical bill. It may supplement with tiny invertebrates, especially during breeding, but seeds dominate the diet. Foraging is typically low to the ground, gleaning from seedheads or picking fallen seeds.
Preferred Environment
Dense, moist grasslands, reedbeds, and marsh margins where seeding grasses are abundant. Often forages along the edges of wetlands and damp clearings, retreating quickly into cover when disturbed.
