Common Waxbill

11.5 cm. Bill, mask, ear coverts and central abdomen red. Above brown with dark vermiculations. Below light brown with darker vermiculations. Throat white. Crissum black. <NJuveniles lack the red eystripe and are lighter and buffier below with less intense vermiculation. Unobtrusive groups of 15-30 birds feed on the ground or under scrub. When they are disturbed, they fly into adjacent bushes and scrub. An introduced African species. Not uncommon in open areas, parks, gardens,in suburbs. In various cities in the southern parts of Estado S<C4>o Paulo Tremembe, Cidade Universitaria, S<C4>o Paulo Remold, unpubl. , Bananal ^119 , and in Estado do Rio de Janeiro <8E>Rio de Janeiro<8E>Botanical Garden . 4418 Calls, S<C4>o Tome, West Africa, LNS96233, recorded by L. Macaulay.: 10213 Calls, S<C4>o Tome, West Africa, LNS96237, recorded by L. Macaulay.: 10783 Calls. S<C4>o Tome, West Africa, LNS96232, recorded by L. Macaulay.: 8504 >: