The St Helena Waxbill

I introduced a pair of St Helena waxbills into the garden aviary on 14th November 2001. I do not know much about them other than that they are an African Waxbill found over much of southern Africa.

They have been a great addition to the aviary living in perfect harmony with the Gouldian and Owl Finches.  I now have a small colony of them.

The waxbills roost in the outside section among a thick leafy section of a tree branch. They are very active and have a distinctive soft and lovely call song. I have found them to be very hardy, surviving everything the Melbourne has to throw at them.

They are very gentle and loyal in their pairings.

Their vision in poor light is very good which is very similar to the Gold Breast waxbills and the Double Bar finches. Not like the Gouldian.

They build the most elaborate nest that is simply wonderful to look at. They will build the nest close to the ground. I currently have a pair nesting in the branches of a bush. It is elongated with a false open saucer nest on the opposite side to the very tiny tunnel like entrance hole. The tunnel entrance hole is angled downwards at about 45 degrees. They use a course grass and twigs for the external layers and then line the nest chamber and tunnel entrance with soft swamp grass. So clever!

I can thoroughly recommend the St Helena waxbill as a great addition to your garden aviary! You will not be disappointed!