Common Waxbill #2

Imagine being so tiny a blade of grass can hold you up.

Weighing just 8.9g, grass can handle Common waxbills/Estrilda astrild like it can harvest mice. Native to Sub-Saharan Africa, a small colony can be found at Barcelona Zoo. Ironically usually in the Savannah exhibit. You can hear them before you see them. Sticking together flying like little flashes before they appear. These photos were taken in October 2023 at Barcelona Zoo near the Water Buffalos about 10 minutes from the Savannah exhibit. 

Most wild colonies in Spain are descendants of pets and these ones found a safe, little paradise in the city. Like the parakeets in the park, some are spreading out across the city. I only saw them once, a small group in the local park and just like at the zoo, I heard them and saw a little flash of something before seeing them 🙂

Its their cheeky cuteness which made me fall in love with them 🙂

Conservation status: Least concern.

Thank you for stopping by!