Black-rumped Waxbill vs Common Waxbill

Estrilda troglodytes compared with Estrilda astrild

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black-rumped Waxbill	Common Waxbill
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Aves (Birds)	Aves (Birds)
Order same	Passeriformes (Songbirds)	Passeriformes (Songbirds)
Family same	Estrildidae	Estrildidae
Genus same	Estrilda	Estrilda
Species	Estrilda troglodytes	Estrilda astrild

Evolutionary Relationship

Black-rumped Waxbill and Common Waxbill share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Estrilda.

Conservation Status

Black-rumped Waxbill

LC — Least Concern

Common Waxbill

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black-rumped Waxbill	Common Waxbill
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black-rumped Waxbill

Habitat

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

Range

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

Common Waxbill

Habitat

Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests and tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests spanning the Australasia and Afrotropic realms.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Cabo Verde, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe), Asia (Taiwan, United Arab Emirates), Europe (9 countries), North America (Trinidad and Tobago, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Vanuatu), and South America (Brazil, Uruguay).

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.

Common Waxbill

The most widespread waxbill in Africa, common waxbills are native to sub-Saharan Africa but have been introduced across the Iberian Peninsula, Brazil, Hawaii, and several Atlantic islands, becoming one of the world's most widely distributed cage bird escapees. Small, lively finches with red bills and a red stripe through the eye, they inhabit rank grasslands and areas near water. Highly gregarious, often seen in large mixed flocks with other estrildids.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 8 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇫🇷 France 🇮🇹 Italy 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇪🇸 Spain 🇬🇧 United Kingdom