Swee Waxbill vs Black-faced Waxbill

In short

The Swee Waxbill and Black-faced Waxbill are both small, colorful birds of the Estrildidae family, but they differ in size, plumage details, and vocalizations. The Swee Waxbill is smaller and has a distinctive black face with a white throat band, while the Black-faced Waxbill is larger with a more extensive red rump and a finely barred grey body.

Identification tips

1. Size: Swee Waxbill is noticeably smaller. 2. Face Pattern: Swee Waxbill has a black face with a white throat band; Black-faced Waxbill has a black face with no white band. 3. Rump Color: Both have red rumps, but the Black-faced Waxbill's is more extensive. 4. Body Pattern: Black-faced Waxbill has a finely barred grey body; Swee Waxbill has a more uniform olive-green back. 5. Vocalizations: Listen for the Swee Waxbill's 'swee-swee' versus the Black-faced Waxbill's 'tip-tip'.

Size

The Swee Waxbill is smaller at 9–10 cm, while the Black-faced Waxbill is larger at 11–12 cm.

Plumage

The Swee Waxbill male has a black face with a white band under the throat, olive-green back, and bright red rump. The Black-faced Waxbill male has a dull grey-brown head, black lores to chin, and a deep red rump with a finely barred grey body. Females of both species are duller, but the Swee Waxbill female lacks the black face.

Behaviour

Both species forage in pairs or small groups, but the Black-faced Waxbill may form larger flocks outside the breeding season.

Voice

The Swee Waxbill's call is a soft 'see-see' or 'swee-swee', while the Black-faced Waxbill has a high-pitched 'tip-tip' and a whistled 'tee' or 'tee-eee'.