African elephant vs Black-rumped Waxbill

Loxodonta africana compared with Estrilda troglodytes

Key Differences

• African elephant is Vulnerable while Black-rumped Waxbill is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	African elephant	Black-rumped Waxbill
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Passeriformes (Songbirds)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Estrildidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Estrilda
Species	Loxodonta africana	Estrilda troglodytes

Evolutionary Relationship

African elephant and Black-rumped Waxbill share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Black-rumped Waxbill

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	African elephant	Black-rumped Waxbill
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	65 years	—
Average Length	6.0 m	—
Average Weight	6.0 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

African elephant

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Black-rumped Waxbill

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found across Asia (Japan) and Europe (8 countries).

African elephant

The largest land animal on Earth, African elephants can reach 7,000 kg and inhabit sub-Saharan savannas, forests, and wetlands. Highly intelligent with complex social structures led by matriarchs, they communicate through infrasound, rumbles, and touch. As ecosystem engineers, they shape habitats by uprooting trees, digging waterholes, and dispersing seeds. Vulnerable, with populations declining due to ivory poaching and habitat loss.

Black-rumped Waxbill

A small waxbill of semi-arid and dry scrubland habitats across sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel zone, black-rumped waxbills have a distinctive crimson bill and rump that contrasts with their grey-brown body. They inhabit dry grasslands, savanna borders, and cultivated areas, feeding on small grass seeds. Though small and inconspicuous, they are a popular aviary bird kept throughout Europe and Asia for their delicate appearance and active, social behavior.