Estrildidae – Waxbills, Munias, Mannikins & Allies
The Estrildidae (Waxbills, Munias, Mannikins, Fire Finches & allies) are small passerines of the Old-World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial, seed eaters with short, thick, but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but vary widely in plumage colours and patterns.
All the estrildids build large, domed nests and lay five to ten white eggs. Many species build roost nests. Some of the fire-finches and pytilias are hosts to the brood-parasitic indigobirds and whydahs, respectively.
Most are sensitive to cold and require warm, usually tropical, habitats, although a few, such as the Eastern Alpine Mannikin, Mountain Firetail and Red-browed Finch, and the genus Stagonopleura, have adapted to the cooler climates of southern Australia and the highlands of New Guinea.
The smallest species of the family is the Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi at a mere 8.3 centimetres, although the lightest species is the Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes at 6 grams. The largest species is the Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora, at 17cm and 25g.
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| Grey-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus | Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda |
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| Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba | Grey-headed Mannikin Lonchura caniceps |
| All photographs on this page courtesy of ©Dubi Shapiro unless otherwise attributed | |
Sadly, they are well known in the pet trade because of their striking plumage and their songs. Moreover, they are easy to keep having a diet of seeds, which are also fed to their young and consequently frequently bred in captivity. In the wild some also often take berries and insects, especially when water is hard to find.
Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans
Lavender Waxbill Glaucestrilda caerulescens
The Common Waxbill is typical of the family and of the cagebird trade. It is a small bird, 11 to 13 cms in length with a wingspan of around 11cms inches and a weight of c. 20 gms. It has a slender body with short rounded wings and a long, graduated tail. The bright red bill of the adult is the colour of sealing wax giving the bird its name. The plumage is mostly grey-brown, finely barred with dark brown. There is a red stripe through the eye and the cheeks and throat are whitish. There is often a pinkish flush to the underparts and a reddish stripe along the centre of the belly depending on the subspecies. The rump is brown and the tail and vent are dark. Females are similar to the males but are paler with less red on the belly. Juveniles are duller with little or no red on the belly, fainter dark barring and a black bill.
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| Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus | Dusky Twinspot Euschistospiza cinereovinacea |
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| Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala | White-collared Oliveback Nesocharis ansorgei |
Very similar species include the Black-rumped, Crimson-rumped and Black-lored Waxbills. The Black-rumped Waxbill is black rather than brown on the rump and has a pale vent (area underneath the tail). The Crimson-rumped Waxbill has a dark bill, red rump and some red on the wings and tail. The Black-lored Waxbill (found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo) has a black rather than red stripe through the eye.
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus
The Common Waxbill has a variety of twittering and buzzing calls and a distinctive high-pitched flight-call. The simple song is harsh and nasal and descends on the last note.
Because of its popularity as a pet it now has a huge range having established feral populations in North America and Europe.
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Number of bird species: 138
(As at December 2025)
According to the recently (2025) amalgamated AviList, there are one hundred and thirty-eight species, in thirty-nine genera in the Estrildidae family. They are:
Pictorella Mannikin Heteromunia pectoralis
Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus
Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata
Red-eared Firetail Stagonopleura oculata
Beautiful Firetail Stagonopleura bella
Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton
Red-browed Finch Neochmia temporalis
Painted Finch Emblema pictum
Star Finch Emblema ruficauda
Plum-headed Finch Emblema modestum
Double-barred Finch Stizoptera bichenovii
Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata
Masked Finch Poephila personata
Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda
Black-throated Finch Poephila cincta
Grey-headed Silverbill Spermestes griseicapilla
Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata
Magpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides
Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor
Madagascan Mannikin Lepidopygia nana
Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica
African Silverbill Euodice cantans
Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora
Timor Sparrow Padda fuscata
White-spotted Mannikin Mayrimunia leucosticta
Streak-headed Mannikin Mayrimunia tristissima
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
Black-throated Munia Lonchura kelaarti
Black-faced Munia Lonchura molucca
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans
White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra
Javan Munia Lonchura leucogastroides
Tricolored Munia Lonchura malacca
Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla
White-capped Munia Lonchura ferruginosa
White-headed Munia Lonchura maja
Pale-headed Munia Lonchura pallida
Great-billed Mannikin Lonchura grandis
Black-breasted Mannikin Lonchura teerinki
Western Alpine Mannikin Lonchura montana
Eastern Alpine Mannikin Lonchura monticola
Grey-banded Mannikin Lonchura vana
Grey-crowned Mannikin Lonchura nevermanni
Grey-headed Mannikin Lonchura caniceps
Hooded Mannikin Lonchura spectabilis
Forbes’s Mannikin Lonchura forbesi
Hunstein’s Mannikin Lonchura hunsteini
New Hannover Mannikin Lonchura nigerrima
Yellow-rumped Mannikin Lonchura flaviprymna
Five-colored Munia Lonchura quinticolor
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax
Black Mannikin Lonchura stygia
Buff-bellied Mannikin Lonchura melaena
Gouldian Finch Chloebia gouldiae
Pin-tailed Parrotfinch Erythrura prasina
Green-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura viridifacies
Tawny-breasted Parrotfinch Erythrura hyperythra
Red-throated Parrotfinch Erythrura psittacea
Fiji Parrotfinch Erythrura pealii
Red-headed Parrotfinch Erythrura cyaneovirens
Pink-billed Parrotfinch Erythrura kleinschmidti
Tricolored Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor
Red-eared Parrotfinch Erythrura coloria
Papuan Parrotfinch Erythrura papuana
Blue-faced Parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa
White-collared Oliveback Nesocharis ansorgei
Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi
Yellow-bellied Waxbill Coccopygia quartinia
Angolan Waxbill Coccopygia bocagei
Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis
Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
Shelley’s Crimsonwing Cryptospiza shelleyi
Dusky Crimsonwing Cryptospiza jacksoni
Abyssinian Crimsonwing Cryptospiza salvadorii
Red-faced Crimsonwing Cryptospiza reichenovii
Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila rubrifrons
Woodhouse’s Antpecker Parmoptila woodhousei
Jameson’s Antpecker Parmoptila jamesoni
White-breasted Nigrita Nigrita fusconotus
Chestnut-breasted Nigrita Nigrita bicolor
Grey-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus
Pale-fronted Nigrita Nigrita luteifrons
Grey-headed Oliveback Delacourella capistrata
Black-faced Waxbill Brunhilda erythronotos
Black-cheeked Waxbill Brunhilda charmosyna
Lavender Waxbill Glaucestrilda caerulescens
Grey Waxbill Glaucestrilda perreini
Cinderella Waxbill Glaucestrilda thomensis
Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula
Kandt’s Waxbill Estrilda kandti
Black-headed Waxbill Estrilda atricapilla
Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda
Anambra Waxbill Estrilda poliopareia
Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola
Black-lored Waxbill Estrilda nigriloris
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes
Arabian Waxbill Estrilda rufibarba
Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga
Locust Finch Paludipasser locustella
Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis
Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala
Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata
Green Avadavat Amandava formosa
Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava
vadavat Amandava amandava
Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina
Purple Grenadier Granatina ianthinogaster
Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Blue-capped Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
Lesser Seedcracker Pyrenestes minor
Crimson Seedcracker Pyrenestes sanguineus
Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus
Grant’s Bluebill Spermophaga poliogenys
Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina
Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra
Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera
Red-billed Pytilia Pytilia lineata
Yellow-winged Pytilia Pytilia hypogrammica
Pink-throated Twinspot Hypargos margaritatus
Red-throated Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus
Dybowski’s Twinspot Euschistospiza dybowskii
Dusky Twinspot Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula
Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta
Black-bellied Firefinch Lagonosticta rara
Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta larvata
African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
Mali Firefinch Lagonosticta virata
Jameson’s Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Chad Firefinch Lagonosticta umbrinodorsalis
Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis
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Waxbill Finch Society
WebsiteAbout cage birds but… These pages contain information about our experiences with these delightful active colourful little birds. There will be information about African waxbills, Australian (Grass) finches and other African and Asian finches such as those in the Lonchura family (mannikins and nuns)…
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Encyclopaedia of Estrildid Finches
| By Matthew M Vriends & Tanya M Heming-Vriends | Hancock House Publishers | 2002 | Hardback | 256 pages, Col photos | ISBN: 9780888394934 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Finches & Sparrows
| By Peter Clement, Alan Harris & John Davis | Helm | 2011 | Hardback | 500 pages, 73 colour plates, 50 line drawings, 281 colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781408135082 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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Estrildidae
Family AccountThese tiny finches of Africa and southern Asia are well known in the pet trade. Admired for their striking plumage and their soft simple songs. -
Estrildidae
Family AccountEstrildidae, or estrildid finches, is a family of small seed-eating passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia.
Given the number of species in this family, Fatbirder does not provide quick links to all of them. However, the entries below do include links to representatives of every genera, all those illustrated and some of the most often encountered, iconic or sought-after species.
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Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus
Species AccountThe black-bellied seedcracker (Pyrenestes ostrinus) is a bird species of the family Estrildidae. -
Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Black-faced Waxbill Brunhilda erythronotos
Species AccountThe black-faced waxbill (Brunhilda erythronotos) is a common species of estrildid finch found in southern Africa. -
Black-faced Waxbill Brunhilda erythronotos
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata
Species AccountThe bronze mannikin or bronze munia (Spermestes cucullata) is a small passerine (i.e. perching) bird of the Afrotropics. -
Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Brown Firefinch Lagonostica nitidula
Species AccountThe brown firefinch (Lagonosticta nitidula) is a common species of estrildid finch found in Southern Africa. -
Brown Firefinch Lagonostica nitidula
Species AccountLagonosticta nitidula is listed as Least Concern. -
Brown Firefinch Lagonostica nitidula
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri
Species AccountThe brown twinspot (Clytospiza monteiri) is a common species of estrildid finch found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Clytospiza. -
Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Species AccountThe Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild), also known as the St Helena Waxbill, is a small passerine bird belonging to the estrildid finch family. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa but has been introduced to many other regions of the world and now has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It is popular and easy to keep in captivity… -
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata
Species AccountThe cut-throat finch (Amadina fasciata) is a common species of estrildid finch found throughout Africa... -
Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Double-barred Finch Stizoptera bichenovii
Species AccountThe double-barred finch (Stizoptera bichenovii) is an estrildid finch found in dry savannah, tropical (lowland) dry grassland and shrubland habitats... -
Double-barred Finch Stizoptera bichenovii
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Dusky Crimsonwing Cryptospiza jacksoni
Species AccountSmall, dark member of the waxbill family. The back and face are red, the wings and tail black, and the underparts dark gray. -
Dusky Crimsonwing Cryptospiza jacksoni
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans
Species AccountEntirely dark brown munia; widespread across Borneo's lowlands and lower-elevation foothills. -
Dusky Munia Lonchura fuscans
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Dusky Twinspot Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
Species AccountUnusual, very dark twinspot with small and faint “twin spots” on the belly. The red rump is conspicuous in flight. -
Dusky Twinspot Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Gouldian Finch Chloebia gouldiae
Species AccountA brilliantly colorful, unmistakable bird with vivid green back, yellow belly, purple chest, blue nape, black throat, and very pale bill. -
Gouldian Finch Chloebia gouldiae
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Green Avadavat Amandava formosa
Species AccountVery pretty small finch-like bird with red bill, red eyes, and distinctly barred flanks. -
Green Avadavat Amandava formosa
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
Species AccountThe green-backed twinspot or green twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) is an estrildid finch found in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. -
Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Species AccountA vividly colored waxbill with a red bill, rump, and tail and an olive-green back and wings. The male's forehead and throat are orange-red. -
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Grey-headed Mannikin Lonchura caniceps
Species AccountThe grey-headed mannikin or grey-headed munia (Lonchura caniceps) is a species of estrildid finch, native to the Papuan Peninsula. -
Grey-headed Mannikin Lonchura caniceps
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Grey-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus
Species AccountThe grey-headed nigrita (Nigrita canicapillus) is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. -
Grey-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Grey-headed Oliveback Delacourella capistrata
Species AccountA large, spectacular, distinctive olive-and-grayish waxbill with a white face and cheeks and a striking black bib that recurves under the cheeks... -
Grey-headed Oliveback Delacourella capistrata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica
Species AccountThe Indian silverbill or white-throated munia (Euodice malabarica) is a small passerine bird found in the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining regions... -
Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Species AccountSmall pinkish waxbill with a blue-gray bill and black under the tail. Found along forest edge, and in cultivation, thick woodland, and scrub. -
Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora
Species AccountA small, plump finch with a very thick pink bill. The black head and white cheek patch are distinctive. Juveniles have a similar color pattern but are grayer. -
Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Lavender Waxbill Glaucestrilda caerulescens
Species AccountThe lavender waxbill (Glaucestrilda caerulescens) is a common species of estrildid finch native to Central Africa and successfully introduced on Hawaiʻi. -
Lavender Waxbill Glaucestrilda caerulescens
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Locust Finch Paludipasser locustella
Species AccountLocustfinch Paludipasser locustella Unusual small, dark waxbill. -
Locust Finch Paludipasser locustella
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Madagascan Mannikin Lepidopygia nana
Species AccountMadagascar Mannikin Lepidopygia nana Tiny brown bird with a black bib. Juveniles are plain brown, but are usually seen with adults. -
Madagascan Mannikin Lepidopygia nana
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Masked Finch Poephila personata
Species AccountA small brownish bird with a bright yellow bill, black face, black flanks, and a distinctive black tail and white rump. -
Masked Finch Poephila personata
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus
Species AccountA chunky finch of upper montane forest edge and shrubby borders of subalpine grasslands. Brown head, brown back and wings, and red rump. -
Mountain Firetail Oreostruthus fuliginosus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda
Species AccountThe orange-cheeked waxbill (Estrilda melpoda) is a common species of estrildid finch native to western and central Africa -
Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Pictorella Mannikin Heteromunia pectoralis
Species AccountThe pictorella mannikin, pictorella munia, or pictorella finch (Heteromunia pectoralis) is small brown and grey finch with a grey bill and distinctive scaly... -
Pictorella Mannikin Heteromunia pectoralis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Pink-throated Twinspot Hypargos margaritatus
Species AccountThe pink-throated twinspot (Hypargos margaritatus) is a small seed-eating bird in the family Estrildidae. -
Pink-throated Twinspot Hypargos margaritatus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis
Species AccountQuailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis Distinctive, tiny, short-tailed waxbill. -
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
Species AccountThe red-billed firefinch or Senegal firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in most of Sub-Saharan Africa with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km2. This species was introduced to Egypt, however, the introduced population has become extinct. -
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
Species AccountLagonosticta senegala is listed as Least Concern. -
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Species AccountThe red-cheeked cordon-bleu or red-cheeked cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) is a small passerine bird in the family Estrildidae. -
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila rubrifrons
Species AccountThe red-fronted antpecker (Parmoptila rubrifrons) is a species of songbird found in Western Africa. -
Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila rubrifrons
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla
Species AccountThe red-headed bluebill (Spermophaga ruficapilla) is a common species of estrildid finch found in Sub-Saharan Africa. I -
Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Red-throated Parrotfinch Erythrura psittacea
Species AccountThe red-throated parrotfinch (Erythrura psittacea) is a species of estrildid finch found in New Caledonia. -
Red-throated Parrotfinch Erythrura psittacea
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Streak-headed Mannikin Mayrimunia tristissima
Species AccountThe streak-headed mannikin (Mayrimunia tristissima) also known as the streak-headed munia, is a small 10 cm (3.9 in) long estrildid finch. -
Streak-headed Mannikin Mayrimunia tristissima
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis
Species AccountThe swee waxbill (Coccopygia melanotis), is a common species of estrildid finch found in Sub-Saharan Africa. -
Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina
Species AccountA stunning long-tailed waxbill with a red bill, mauve cheeks, and a blue rump. The underparts are vibrant chestnut in the male and cream-buff in the female. -
Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map. -
White-collared Oliveback Nesocharis ansorgei
Species AccountTiny olive-green, gray, and black member of the waxbill family. Males have a narrow white collar and an olive-green breast, while females lack the collar. -
White-collared Oliveback Nesocharis ansorgei
Species AccountSound archive and distribution map.