Estrilda astrild | common waxbill

Common Waxbill, photo by Sherman Wing

Introduced

Other Names: St Helena waxbill

The common waxbill is a native of Africa and was first reported in Hawaiʻi in the late 1970s. They are most often seen feeding on grass seeds on the ground or in tall weeds. They are small at 4 inches and gray brown in color. Look for their brilliant red eye mask and they dart around a field.

The map below shows hotspots along our birding trails where you might see this bird.

Hotspots for common waxbill

Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Coastal

Kilauea Point NWR, photo by D Peebles
LookoutHikingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageRanger Station

Kuilau Trail

Wet forest

Kuilau Trail, photo by DOFAW
HikingParkingPicnic area

Salt Pond Beach Park

Coastal

Salt Pond Beach Park
LookoutBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash

Kawaiʻele State Waterbird Sanctuary

Wetland

Kawaiele State Waterbird Sanctuary, photo by DLNR
LookoutHikingParkingInterpretive Signage

Nuʻupia Pond

Wetland

Nuupia Pond, photo courtesy of USMC
Hiking

ʻAiea Loop Trail

Wet forest

Aiea Loop Trail, photo by DLNR
HikingBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash

Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook

Wetland

Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook, photo by USFWS
LookoutHikingInterpretive Signage

Kapiʻolani Park

Pasture and grasslands

Kapiolani Park, photo courtesy of City and County of Honolulu Dept of Parks and Rec
HikingBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash

Wiliwilinui Access Road and Ridge Trail

Wet forest

Wiliwilinui Access Road and Ridge Trail, photo by DOFAW
HikingParking

Paikō Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary

Wetland

Paiko Laggon Sanctuary, photo by Keri Rouse
LookoutBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail

Coastal

Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail, photo by DLNR
HikingParkingInterpretive Signage

Kawainui Marsh

Wetland

Kawainui Marsh, photo by DOFAW
LookoutHikingParking

Lāʻie Point State Wayside Park

Coastal

Lāʻie Point State Wayside, photo by DLNR
LookoutParkingTrash

Lānaʻi Lookout

Coastal

Lanai Lookout, photo by Lainie Berry
LookoutParking

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland

Kioea at James Campbell NWR, photo by Lainie Berry
HikingParking

Waimea Valley

WetlandWet forest

Waimea Valley, photo courtesy of Hi'ipaka LLC
HikingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageTrash

Kaʻena Point Trail

Coastal

Kaʻena Point State Park, photo by DLNR
HikingParkingInterpretive Signage

Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland

Kealia Pond NWR, photo by USFWS
LookoutHikingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageRanger StationPicnic areaTrash

Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary

Wetland

Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, photo by Jeff Bagshaw
LookoutParking

Keāhole Point

Coastal

LookoutParking

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historic Park

Wetland

HikingBathroomParkingInterpretive SignageRanger StationPicnic areaTrash

Makāula -‘O‘oma Trails

Wet forest

HikingParkingInterpretive Signage

Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a ʻŌhiʻa Trail

Pasture and grasslandsDry forest

HikingBathroomParkingTrash

Wailoa River State Park

Wetland

LookoutHikingParkingPicnic areaTrash

Loko Waka Pond

Wetland

LookoutBathroomParkingPicnic areaTrash
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