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In January a pair of Blue Waxbills started to build a nest in the Knob-thorn tree right in font of our veranda in Marloth…about 2m from where we normally sit. They were not really bothered by us and we were looking forward to watching the whole “show” of them breeding.

The nest (please forgive, not great photos )

Larger view

One day I was working outside when the nest fell out of the tree. I picked it up …amazing how finely woven it is. Getting myself caught in the thorns of the tree a few times I managed to put the nest back…first also battled to find the entrance so that I can put it back the same way it was.
That afternoon I told a (very clever ) friend the whole story and he told me about the wasp nest thing….my hubby then mentioned that he actually saw a wasp nest next to the bird’s nest the previous day…and true as bob, right next to the nest were the wasps. Thank goodness the wasps were in a “happy” mood when I was fiddling around there to get the nest back…I didn’t even see them!!

On this photo you can see the wasps and the birds’ nest at the bottom right.

Larger view

I’m NO expert on birds…but all I can add is that this specific tree is full of those big ants…we normally put out fruit for the birds and bushbabies in this tree and there are always hordes of ants in it???

After I placed the nest back, the birds happily retuned and tried to fix the places where I accidentally squashed the nest….the thorns were really getting me. They however, after a couple of days, dismantled the whole nest….presume they used the material to build somewhere else.

Hi troops,

I don't have any clinical evidence to support or refute whether blue waxbills use wasps as a nesting defence mechanism, but some of you may have seen David Attenborough's "Life of Birds" series (If not you don't know what you are missing). In that there was footage of another petite bird species (I don't think it was a blue waxbill and cannot even recall if it was an African species or not), using proximity to wasp nests in selecting nest sites. (I have a feeling it was a penduline tit).

I would suggest that the scientific debate as to whether such behaviour is learned, inherent or purely coincidental is a very difficult thing to prove and will depend on the individual scepticism of the individual concerned. Personally while I can't say I've ever noticed the behaviour myself, I would think that the annecdotal evidence is such that there has to be times when the birds in question do it on purpose.

Cheers

Owl

Hi all,

I have always been fascinated by the Blue Waxbill but have never been fortunate enough to see and photograph one despite my frequent travels to the Kruger and keen interest on birding.

As silly a question as it may sound, does anyone know of any specific camps/hides/locations that this magnificent bird is known to be occuring? Of course I understand that one can hardly pin-point the locations of any bird like this but I thought it might be worth a shotas I am yet to come across one.

Thanks.

Actually, if you decide to enter by Phalaborwa gate you'll be slow...
They are there.

N'Shumba, we saw many on our Bushman's trail, close to Berg n Dal. We were also fortunate enough to be able to get a really close view of the nests. I have also seen some in the LS tented camp.

If you want to treat yourself to an experience of a life time, think of doing the Bushman's trail.

They are the most delightful a beautiful of birds.

Hi N'shumba

The Blue Waxbill is a gorgeous little bird isn't it?

The fact is that you don't particularly need to visit KNP to see these birds as they are quite common around the city area's as well... Where are you from BTW?

Just a little bit of advice for finding Blue Waxbills... They are normally found with Red-billed Firefinches, so if you see the one then the other wont be too far away...

I have seen them all over the place on my last visit, from Skukuza camp, Tshokwane, Satara, Olifants Nwanetsi, Orpen...

Seen in bush just outside the entrance to Lower Sabie sightings board area.

Lower Sabie is a good place to see blue waxbills.

Where did I see this bird? - i saw this bird in the waterburgh near a waterhole
Habbitat - trees
Size - about the size of a house sparrow (quite small)
Was it alone? - yes
What was it doing? sitting in the tree before coming down to drink
Time of year - It was Middle August 2009

Blue wax bill

Mellory,

It looks like a male to me. Blue waxbills are found not far from water.

Gorgeous little Birds