Black-rumped Waxbill vs Orange-cheeked Waxbill

Estrilda troglodytes compared with Estrilda melpoda

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Black-rumped Waxbill	Orange-cheeked 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 melpoda

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Black-rumped Waxbill

LC — Least Concern

Orange-cheeked Waxbill

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Black-rumped Waxbill	Orange-cheeked 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).

Orange-cheeked Waxbill

Habitat

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

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Japan), Europe (4 countries), and North America (United States).

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.

Orange-cheeked Waxbill

A charming small estrildid finch with an unmistakable orange cheek patch set against a grey head, brown back, and pale white underparts, orange-cheeked waxbills are native to the humid forests and forest edges of West and Central Africa. They feed on small grass and weed seeds, often near water. Widely kept as aviary birds, they have established feral populations in parts of Puerto Rico, Europe, and Asia. Active and social, they pair bond strongly.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇯🇵 Japan 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇪🇸 Spain 🇬🇧 United Kingdom