Red-Eared Waxbill

[neillcc]

Whilst taking some clients on a tour to one of my hotspots I photographed some Red-eared waxbills (see attached photos) having never come across this bird before I contacted a Waxbill specialist who has confirmed that as far as he knows this is the first colony of these mid African birds recorded in Southern Spain.
Other pictures are viewable at www.twitchingspain.com then click Gallery

[AndyB]

Hi Neil, Spain and Portugal seem to do very well for all these escaped exotic species. Red-eared Waxbill does seem to be a regular in Spain from various trip reports I've read (but maybe not as far south as you?) eg the following trip report seem to see both Red Avadavat and the Red-eared Waxbill around Trujillo area:
http://www.ornitholidays.co.uk/brochure/112-113-Spain-Spring-3.pdf
Best, Andy

[neillcc]

Hi Neil, Spain and Portugal seem to do very well for all these escaped exotic species. Red-eared Waxbill does seem to be a regular in Spain from various trip reports I've read (but maybe not as far south as you?) eg the following trip report seem to see both Red Avadavat and the Red-eared Waxbill around Trujillo area:
http://www.ornitholidays.co.uk/brochure/112-113-Spain-Spring-3.pdf
Best, Andy


Thanks Andy, I have just had an e-mail verification that this is the first sighting in Andalucia that has been recorded.
The articale that you sent maybe Colin Key should read and look at the prices SHOCK I must be to cheap (if you pardon the pun)

[Brian S]

I don't know if your 'Red-eared' Waxbills are called that normally - are they normally called 'Black-rumped Waxbill'?. With the white undertail coverts, I assume they are not Common Waxbill, which has been seen in Andalucia for a number of years, as can be seen in this article

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/Spain/andalucia10/andalucia-sept-05.htm

Brian S

[neillcc]

I don't know if your 'Red-eared' Waxbills are called that normally - are they normally called 'Black-rumped Waxbill'?. With the white undertail coverts, I assume they are not Common Waxbill, which has been seen in Andalucia for a number of years, as can be seen in this article

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/Spain/andalucia10/andalucia-sept-05.htm

Brian S

Hi Brian
thats correct real name Black-rumped waxbill ENGLISH name red-eared waxbill. and not the common waxbill. this has now been confirmed that this is the 1st reported sighting of a colony by 2 good sources Firstly a Waxbill specialist who is at present writing a book devoted to Waxbills and also a local ornithologist Who is Spanish and an area informer for SEOB as well as the local vet.

[Collalba]

Hi Brian
thats correct real name Black-rumped waxbill ENGLISH name red-eared waxbill. and not the common waxbill. this has now been confirmed that this is the 1st reported sighting of a colony by 2 good sources Firstly a Waxbill specialist who is at present writing a book devoted to Waxbills and also a local ornithologist Who is Spanish and an area informer for SEOB as well as the local vet.

Hi Neil,

Not wishing to pour water on this '1st sighting', but! Black-rumped Waxbill status has been recorded thus by Barros & Rios "Its presence in the area may be regular, as its similarity to Common Waxbill may have caused confusion. However, one group was present at the Rio Guadiaro estuary on 10.09.85, of which one bird was ringed."