Kandt's waxbill is a species of estrildid finch found in central Africa. It is sometimes considered conspecific with the black-headed waxbill.
Region
Albertine Rift and adjacent East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Found in montane and submontane mosaics including grassy clearings, forest edges, shrubby farmland, and wetlands with tall grasses. It frequents secondary growth, riparian thickets, and cultivated fields where seeding grasses are abundant. The species typically keeps close to cover and uses reeds or shrubs for roosting and nesting. It is generally local but can be fairly common where suitable habitat persists.
Altitude Range
1200–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Kandt's waxbill is a small estrildid finch of the Albertine Rift in central Africa, named after the German explorer Richard Kandt. It is sometimes treated as conspecific with the black-headed waxbill but is often recognized as distinct by its regional distribution and subtle plumage differences. These birds are highly social, foraging in small parties and frequently associating with other seed-eating finches.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small flocks, sometimes mixing with other estrildid finches. Nests are rounded grass structures tucked into dense shrubs, reeds, or tall grasses. Both sexes participate in nest building and share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, high-pitched series of tinkling notes and thin trills, often given in contact while foraging. Calls are delicate 'tsee-tsee' or 'tink' notes that help keep flocks coordinated.
Plumage
Compact waxbill with a contrasting dark head, warm brown upperparts, and grey to pale underparts with fine, subtle barring on the flanks. The rump and upper tail are reddish, and the undertail coverts are pale to whitish. Feathers appear smooth and neatly groomed, with a slight gloss on darker areas.
Diet
Primarily consumes small grass and sedge seeds, plucked directly from seedheads or gleaned from the ground. Supplements diet with small insects such as ants and termites, especially during the breeding season. May also take cultivated millet and other cereal grains at field edges.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in rank grass, weedy field margins, wetland edges with reeds, and along forest edge clearings. Often stays low, moving through cover and perching on grass stems to pick seeds.
