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Estrildidae - Waxbills, Zebra Finches, Firefinches, Parrot Finches

There are about 136 birds in this family. They are found in tropical areas of Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Most are 3-6 inches in length and have cone-shaped bills.

They are seed and berry eaters and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

They build large domed-shaped nests. Many species in this family, like the zebra finch, are kept as caged pets. Some of the species in this family have been introduced into the wild in North America.

  • The red-headed finch is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Headed Finch
    (Amadina erythrocephala)
    The red-headed finch is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The cut-throat finch is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cut-Throat
    (Amadina fasciata)
    The cut-throat finch is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red avadavat is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red Avadavat
    (Amandava amandava)
    The red avadavat is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The green avadavat is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Green Avadavat
    (Amandava formosa)
    The green avadavat is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The zebra waxbill is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Zebra Waxbill
    (Amandava subflava)
    The zebra waxbill is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Swee waxbill is found in Angola, Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Swee Waxbill
    (Coccopygia melanotis)
    The Swee waxbill is found in Angola, Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The painted finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Painted Finch
    (Emblema pictum)
    The painted finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Gouldian finch is found in northern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Gouldian Finch
    (Erythrura gouldiae)
    The Gouldian finch is found in northern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The Fiji parrotfinch is found in Fiji. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Fiji Parrotfinch
    (Erythrura pealii)
    The Fiji parrotfinch is found in Fiji. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The pin-tailed parrotfinch is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pin-Tailed Parrotfinch
    (Erythrura prasina)
    The pin-tailed parrotfinch is found in Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-throated parrotfinch is found in New Caledonia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Throated Parrotfinch
    (Erythrura psittacea)
    The red-throated parrotfinch is found in New Caledonia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The blue-faced parrotfinch is found in Australia, Indonesia, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue-Faced Parrotfinch
    (Erythrura trichroa)
    The blue-faced parrotfinch is found in Australia, Indonesia, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The tricolored parrotfinch is found in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tricolored Parrotfinch
    (Erythrura tricolor)
    The tricolored parrotfinch is found in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common waxbill is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Waxbill
    (Estrilda astrild)
    The common waxbill is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-headed waxbill is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Headed Waxbill
    (Estrilda atricapilla)
    The black-headed waxbill is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-crowned waxbill is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Crowned Waxbill
    (Estrilda nonnula)
    The black-crowned waxbill is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dusky twinspot is found in Angola, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dusky Twinspot
    (Euschistospiza cinereovinacea)
    The dusky twinspot is found in Angola, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common grenadier is found in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Grenadier
    (Granatina granatina)
    The common grenadier is found in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The purple grenadier is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Purple Grenadier
    (Granatina ianthinogaster)
    The purple grenadier is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The pink-throated twinspot is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pink-Throated Twinspot
    (Hypargos margaritatus)
    The pink-throated twinspot is found in Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Jameson's firefinch is found in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Jameson's Firefinch
    (Lagonosticta rhodopareia)
    Jameson's firefinch is found in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The African firefinch is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    African Firefinch
    (Lagonosticta rubricata)
    The African firefinch is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The chestnut munia is found in Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chestnut Munia
    (Lonchura atricapilla)
    The chestnut munia is found in Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The chestnut-breasted munia, , also known as the chestnut-breasted mannikin or bully bird, is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chestnut-Breasted Munia
    (Lonchura castaneothorax)
    The chestnut-breasted munia, , also known as the chestnut-breasted mannikin or bully bird, is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dusky munia is found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dusky Munia
    (Lonchura fuscans)
    The dusky munia is found in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Javan munia is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Javan Munia
    (Lonchura leucogastroides)
    The Javan munia is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The tricolored munia is found in India, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tricolored Munia
    (Lonchura malacca)
    The tricolored munia is found in India, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The scaly-breasted munia is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Scaly-Breasted Munia
    (Lonchura punctulata)
    The scaly-breasted munia is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-rumped munia is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Rumped Munia
    (Lonchura striata)
    The white-rumped munia is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The crimson finch is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crimson Finch
    (Neochmia phaeton)
    The crimson finch is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The star finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Star Finch
    (Neochmia ruficauda)
    The star finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-browed finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Browed Finch
    (Neochmia temporalis)
    The red-browed finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The mountain firetail is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Mountain Firetail
    (Oreostruthus fuliginosus)
    The mountain firetail is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The quailfinch is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Quailfinch
    (Ortygospiza atricollis)
    The quailfinch is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Java sparrow is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Java Sparrow
    (Padda oryzivora)
    The Java sparrow is found in Indonesia. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • Jameson's antpecker is found in Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Jameson's Antpecker
    (Parmoptila jamesoni)
    Jameson's antpecker is found in Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The long-tailed finch is found in northern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Long-Tailed Finch
    (Poephila acuticauda)
    The long-tailed finch is found in northern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-throated finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Throated Finch
    (Poephila cincta)
    The black-throated finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-faced pytilia, also known as the yellow-winged pytilia, is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Faced Pytilia
    (Pytilia hypogrammica)
    The red-faced pytilia, also known as the yellow-winged pytilia, is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The green-winged pytilia is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Green-Winged Pytilia
    (Pytilia melba)
    The green-winged pytilia is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bronze munia is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bronze Munia
    (Spermestes cucullata)
    The bronze munia is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-and-white munia is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-and-White Munia
    (Spermestes bicolor}
    The black-and-white munia is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The beautiful firetail is found in southern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    (Beautiful Firetail
    (Stagonopleura bella)
    The beautiful firetail is found in southern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The diamond firetail is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Diamond Firetail
    (Stagonopleura guttata)
    The diamond firetail is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The double-barred finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Double-Barred Finch
    (Taeniopygia bichenovii)
    The double-barred finch is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The zebra finch is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Zebra Finch
    (Taeniopygia guttata)
    The zebra finch is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The blue-breasted cordon-bleu is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue-Breasted Cordon-Bleu
    (Uraeginthus angolensis)
    The blue-breasted cordon-bleu is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red-cheeked cordon-bleu is found in central Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu
    (Uraeginthus bengalus)
    The red-cheeked cordon-bleu is found in central Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The blue-capped cordon-bleu is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Blue-Capped Cordon-Bleu
    (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus)
    The blue-capped cordon-bleu is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The zebra finch is one of the birds found in this family.
The zebra finch is one of the birds found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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