Want to know where and when to find Violet eared Waxbill? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Violet eared Waxbill in South Africa
About the Violet eared Waxbill
A small, brightly coloured estrildid finch of dry shrubland and savanna across southern Africa, also known as the common grenadier. Males have a rich chestnut body, a violet-blue face patch, and a turquoise crown and rump, while females are duller. Like other estrildid finches it feeds mainly on grass seeds, usually foraging in pairs or small family groups low in thornveld cover.
How to identify the Violet eared Waxbill
Males are unmistakable, with a rich chestnut body, a violet-blue mask around the eye and a turquoise crown and rump; females are much duller brown with only a hint of the blue face patch
Did you know?
Its scientific name and old alternate name "common grenadier" both come from the same root as the male's deep chestnut colouring, likened by early European naturalists to the red coats of grenadier soldiers.
Also known as: Common Grenadier
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Violet eared Waxbill, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.