Coccopygia melanotis
The Swee Waxbill occurs only in South Africa (it is absent from the dry western and open central parts of the country), Lesotho and eSwatini (Swaziland) with a tiny, isolated population in South-central Zimbabwe. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern.
Swee Waxbills are omnivores, feeding mostly on grass seeds and tiny insects. They’re most commonly found on the edges of and clearings in forests and woodlands and will venture into well-planted gardens from time to time, becoming quite unafraid of humans. They’re usually seen in pairs or small groups, getting their name from the soft contact calls they make while moving around.
Swee Waxbills breed from mid-spring to late summer. Monogamous pairs work together to construct their oval-shaped grass nest, usually placed high in a tree or other dense vegetation. Clutches of up to 9 eggs are incubated by both parents over a 2 week period. The chicks leave the nest when they’re about 3 weeks old and remain with their parents for a similar time thereafter before dispersing. They’re tiny birds and fully grown weigh less than 8g.
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