For more information
on other animals found at Cub Creek Science Camp visit our
animal page.
Orange Cheeked Wax Bill
Originating in Western Africa, they
will be found in open grassland with light tree
and/or shrub coverage, also along watercourses, in
gardens and cultivated fields.
*This species has been successfully
introduced to Puerto Rico and Hawaii
They feed on tiny grass seeds, which
they collect from the ground or, more often,
directly from grass panicles. They hang on the stems
and harvest the ripe or green seeds, sometimes while
hanging upside down. Small insects such as termites,
aphids, and gnats are taken during the breeding
season.
Lives in small family parties or
flocks of thirty of more individuals. Their
high-pitched "peeps" are the best clue of their
presence. Like most estridids, they are very
acrobatic in their movements on twigs and grass
stems, "climbing" up and down verticals and hanging
upside down while feeding. Males usually have
brighter orange patches on the abdomen.
At Cub Creek Science Camp
this is one of the variety of finches that we have living in
habitats with some of our other animals. These
beautiful small birds are very lively and interesting to
watch.
