The Black-tailed Waxbill or Glaucestrilda perreini is a small and strikingly beautiful bird belonging to the family Estrildidae. This delightful species is commonly found in southern Africa, favouring dry savannah and open woodland habitats.
This article aims to provide readers with a detailed overview of the Black-tailed Waxbill, touching upon identification, plumages, and molts.
Identification
One of the most alluring features of the Black-tailed Waxbill is its striking colouration. The bird’s head, back, and wings are a dazzling shade of chestnut brown, while the throat and chest are creamy white.
The tail is black with white tips, making it stand out amongst other species. The bill of the Black-tailed Waxbill is short and curved, with a distinctively red tip.
Field
Identification
The Black-tailed Waxbill is a small bird, measuring only 10cm in length. It has a slender and streamlined body, with a wingspan of approximately 12cm.
The species is sexually dimorphic, with males having brighter and more vivid colouration than females. Males also tend to have slightly longer tails.
Similar Species
The Black-tailed Waxbill shares some similarities with other waxbills in the Estrildidae family, especially the Common Waxbill. However, the Common Waxbill lacks the striking black-and-white tail of the Black-tailed Waxbill.
Plumages
Black-tailed Waxbills undergo two molts in a year, during which changes occur in their appearance. Juvenile birds have duller and less striking plumage, with less distinct colouration.
As they mature, their feathers become brighter and the chestnut brown becomes more vivid. Immature birds have a blackish tail with gray edges, which is less striking than the characteristic black-and-white tail of adults.
Molts
The Black-tailed Waxbill undergoes a complete annual molt, which takes place during the dry season. This molt typically happens between November and February in southern Africa.
During this time, the bird actively sheds old feathers and replaces them with new ones. It is the time when the feathers become more vivid and brightly coloured.
A second partial molt occurs later in the year, just before the breeding season. This is a less dramatic molt, and usually results in minor changes in feathering.
In conclusion, the Black-tailed Waxbill is a small but alluring bird with striking colours and markings. This article has provided readers with information on the species’ identification, plumages and molts.
Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts are sure to enjoy observing this delightful species in its natural habitat, especially during the dry season when the plumage is at its brightest. Black-tailed Waxbills have undergone significant changes in their taxonomy, systematics history, geographical variation, and distribution over the years.
This article aims to provide readers with an overview of the evolutionary and geographical history of the species, along with a detailed insight into its subspecies and related species.
Systematics History
The Black-tailed Waxbill belongs to the family Estrildidae, and the genus Glaucestrilda. Previously, it was classified under the genus Estrilda, but later moved under the genus Glaucestrilda due to genetic analysis, which showed that it was more closely related to the genus Ortygospiza than Estrilda.
The species was first described by Antnio Rosa Pinto in 1938.
Geographic Variation
The Black-tailed Waxbill has a wide range across southern Africa. As a resident bird, it is distributed from Angola, Botswana, Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Due to its wide distribution range, the species has certain geographic variations that distinguish it from one part of its range to another.
Subspecies
The Black-tailed Waxbill has four recognized subspecies, each with distinct characteristics and distribution ranges. – G.
perreini perreini: This is the nominate form, and is found in western Angola and Namibia. – G.
perreini australis: Found in southwestern Zambia, Botswana, and northeastern Namibia. – G.
perreini leopoldi: Distributed in eastern and southeastern Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana and northeastern South Africa. – G.
perreini extrema: This subspecies is relatively recently separated from G. perreini leopoldi and is found in northeastern South Africa and Swaziland.
Related Species
The Black-tailed Waxbill is closely related to other species in the Estrildidae family, including the Red-headed Finch (Amadina erythrocephala), the Black-faced Waxbill (Brunhilda erythronotos), and the Violet-eared Waxbill (Uraeginthus granatinus), among others. This relationship is evident in the resemblance of their morphology, behaviour and ecological niches.
Historical Changes to Distribution
The Black-tailed Waxbill was once regarded as a common species, but in recent years, its distribution has changed. Conservationists have noted that the species’ population remains constrained due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Loss of habitat arises from land-use changes, deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, mining, logging, and bushfires. Over the years, the bird’s range has also shifted responding to environmental changes.
For instance, studies show that the species’ historical range was more widespread across the arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa. However, these regions have undergone extensive deforestation, overgrazing, and fragmentation over the years, leading to loss of Black-tailed Waxbills’ habitat, and hence, shrinking its distribution range.
Black-tailed Waxbills are, however, known to adapt to novel habitats, partly because they are occasionally fond of settling in man-made and altered habitats. Urbanization and the construction of new infrastructure such as buildings and roads have significantly impacted the natural distribution of the species, and created new habitats for the species.
In conclusion, the Black-tailed Waxbill belongs to the family Estrildidae and has undergone significant changes in its systematics history, geographical variation, distribution range, and evolutionary history. The species has undergone subspecies differentiation in its distribution range, and its distribution has been affected by environmental changes such as land-use change, deforestation, and urbanization.
Black-tailed Waxbills continue to grapple with threats to their population, but they have proven resilient in the face of change, adapting and establishing habitats in man-built environments. The Black-tailed Waxbill is a small bird species widely distributed across southern Africa.
It is known to inhabit a wide range of habitats, including open fields, savannahs, and woodland areas. This article will provide readers with an overview of the Black-tailed Waxbill’s habitat, movements, and migration.
Habitat
The Black-tailed Waxbill’s habitat preferences vary depending on the subspecies and geographic location. Generally, the species prefers semi-arid and arid habitats characterized by a combination of grasslands, open savannahs and scrublands.
Black-tailed Waxbills favour habitats with trees and scattered bushes that provide cover and perches from which to forage for food. In the southern African region, the species is found in areas with short-grass, typically below 60cm in height.
They often occupy riparian zones, which have more diverse plant communities and provide cover, nesting sites, and variety of food sources. Black-tailed Waxbills have been observed often foraging on the ground, particularly near to shrubs or tall grass.
They also perch in bushes and trees and display a characteristic upward head tilt while searching for insects and seeds.
Movements and Migration
Black-tailed Waxbills are generally non-migratory, which means that they do not undertake seasonal long-distance movements. However, the species is known to be nomadic, which means that it is capable of moving over short distances in response to changing environmental and food resources.
Within their distribution areas, Black-tailed Waxbills can undertake local movements following the availability of resources, changes in climate or for other reasons. These movements can occur within the same habitat and occasionally extend to surrounding regions.
Recent studies indicate that Black-tailed Waxbills show some degree of territoriality during the breeding season. During this period, the birds tend to occupy restricted ranges and defend them, encountering other individuals only while foraging for food.
This behaviour can result in some degree of movement of individuals over short distances to secure resources and mate. Despite this nomadic nature, Black-tailed Waxbills can demonstrate a degree of site fidelity.
They are known to exhibit a preference for specific habitats and breeding territories, becoming associated in such areas over time. Another factor influencing movements of the species is the influence of climatic fluctuations, including droughts and floods.
Climatic variations can lead to changes in plant growth and seed availability. Consequently, Black-tailed Waxbills are known to modify their behaviours, including changing their habitat use, movements and nesting sites in response to changes in weather patterns.
In Conclusion, the Black-tailed Waxbill species is typically non-migratory but capable of short-distance movements in search of resources, named a nomadic species. The species is highly adaptable to a range of habitats in semi-arid and arid regions such as grasslands, savannahs and riparian zones where it perches in bushes and trees, forages on the ground, and displays a characteristic upward head tilt.
With their preference for particular habitats, movements may be short, limited to a few means or sometimes longer if resources are scarce. Owing to their adaptability and movements spanning areas of their distribution, the Black-tailed Waxbills ensure that they successfully secure resources in semi-arid and arid regions in Africa.
Black-tailed Waxbills have adapted to a range of habitats across semi-arid and arid regions in southern Africa. Their feeding adaptations and vocal communication make this small and nomadic species of great interest to bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.
This article will provide an overview of their diet and foraging, as well as their vocal behaviour.
Diet and Foraging
Black-tailed waxbills feed primarily on small seeds of grasses and weeds. They are also known to consume insects and small invertebrates found in their natural habitat.
The birds are active during sunrise and sunset, searching for seeds and insects on the ground or in the air. Black-tailed Waxbills feed predominantly on the ground but will perch on low shrubs and tree branches to procure food.
Feeding
When feeding, Black-tailed Waxbills use their bill to extract seeds from grasses and weeds. The birds also capture insects in mid-air or gleaning them from vegetation.
Black-tailed Waxbills have a preference for small, hard seeds, which they can easily break with their bill. This hardness of the seeds may have influenced the evolution of their beak structure and size.
They are also recorded taking advantage of short-leaved plants that allow seeds to fall down, hence making them readily available for feeding.
Diet
Black-tailed Waxbills have a disproportionately large metabolic rate compared to their body size. Their metabolism provides high-energy demands necessary to fuel their flight and foraging activities.
This high demand for energy on these birds means that their diet has a high caloric content. A study conducted in Cape Town South Africa showed that the Black-tailed Waxbill’s diet varied throughout the year, depending on the available resources.
The study noted a higher intake of protein during breeding season, which suggests increased foraging to provide energy for reproduction activities.
Metabolism and Temperature Regulation
Black-tailed Waxbills have a high metabolic rate that requires temperature regulation to maintain optimal and efficient energy use. During feeding and flight activities, their body temperature increases, leading to a slowdown in digestion.
This delay of digestion encourages birds to feed at intervals to avoid impaction in their intestinal tract.
Vocalization
The Black-tailed Waxbill is known for its beautiful vocalizations, which are said to sound like high-pitched rising chirps or warbles. The birds’ vocalizations are known to be soft but melodious, and they may produce a variety of sounds depending on mood and activity.
The males have a higher scope of vocal range compared to the females. The Black-tailed Waxbill’s vocalizations play an essential role in their communication, particularly in pairs and to potential mates.
By interpreting these sounds, individuals can determine breeding status, territories, and locations of feeding. The call-notes produced by them communicated information about aggression and signalled their intentions to other individuals in their group.
In conclusion, the Black-tailed Waxbill is a beautiful bird with a varied diet, metabolism, and vocal communication system. Their diet primarily consists of small seeds and insects found across semi-arid and arid regions of southern Africa.
Its high metabolic rate requires energy demands, which encourages consumption of a high caloric diet to maintain optimal functioning. The Black-tailed Waxbill produces a range of sounds, used to communicate information to other individuals regarding territories, breeding, and feeding activities.
Bird watchers and nature lovers can observe and appreciate these vocalisations by spotting readily-located Black-tailed Waxbills. Black-tailed Waxbills are small and nomadic birds that belong to the Estrildidae family, known for their striking appearance and beautiful vocalizations.
This article provides insight into their behaviour, breeding, demography, and populations.
Behavior
Locomotion: Black-tailed Waxbills are agile birds with a fast and direct flight. They frequently move deftly and rapidly among trees and bushes to take cover during foraging and nesting activities.
Self-maintenance: Black-tailed Waxbills are meticulous and take great care of their feathers. They occasionally engage in preening, cleaning, and oiling their feathers.
Agonistic
Behavior: Black-tailed Waxbills males protect their breeding territories aggressively. During territorial disputes, males confront each other and engage in physical fights, which may end up injuring or fatalities.
The birds also display a range of postures and vocalizations while defending their territories. Sexual
Behavior: Black-tailed Waxbills are monogamous and form pair bonds, which can last for several years.
The birds use a combination of vocalizations and displays to attract a mate. During the breeding season, males engage in elaborate mouth movements and wing-flapping while vocalizing a high-pitched song to attract females.
Breeding
Black-tailed Waxbills breed mostly in the southern hemisphere’s summer months or onset of regional wet seasons. They occasionally breed twice in a year, depending on resources’ availability.
During the breeding season, males defend territories and engage in elaborate displays while vocalizing to attract females. The female constructs the nest that is shaped like a hemisphere with a dome-like opening on one side.
The Female selects a site to build the nest, usually situated low down in bushes or trees, and the pair work together to construct it using a combination of clustered grasses and other materials. The process can take up to five days to complete.
Demography and Populations
The black-tailed waxbill population is mainly non-migratory and widely distributed across southern Africa. Due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and development activities, several populations face declining numbers, and this has led to conservation concerns.
There is limited information on Black-tailed Waxbill demography, including population density, age, sex-ratio and survival. Most information available is from community-based monitoring programs, banding and ringing programs, or anecdotal observations.
Black-tailed Waxbills are known to be adaptable and can thrive in some man-made habitats such as urban green spaces and gardens. Their resilience to habitat changes has led to an increase in the bird’s distribution range.
However, more scientific and systematic approaches are required to determine population trends, size and reliable information for conservation.
In conclusion, Black-tailed Waxbills are monogamous birds that form pair bonds during breeding season.
These birds have distinct behaviours, including vocalizations, self-maintenance, and locomotion. Their bodies are adapted for efficient metabolic rates to support their high-energy activities, while their reproduction and chick rearing is precise.
The population of Black-tailed Waxbills is widely distributed across southern Africa, and considerable variation can exist between them. Due to their adaptability, they can be found in various habitats, including urban green spaces, forest edges, or shrublands.
However, mounting anthropogenic impacts to their habitats demands further conservation practices and studies to help understand population sizes, demographics, and improve conservation awareness. In conclusion, this article has provided a detailed overview of the Black-tailed Waxbill, covering diverse topics such as systematics history, geographical variation, distribution, breeding, vocalization, and behaviour.
Through this article, readers have gained insight into the biology, ecology, and behaviour that make the Black-tailed Waxbill unique. While conservation efforts continue to fight threats ranging from habitat depletion and resource limitation, it is imperative that attention be given to these species’ potential socio-economic and ecological roles.
By considering this diversity of aspects covered in this article, we can expand awareness, knowledge and incorporate further research to bring new perspectives to help protect and preserve the dynamic and versatile Black-tailed Waxbill species.