Waxbills and Grassfinches: Estrildidae

Waxbills and grassfinches, commonly called weaverfinches, are relatively small, often brightly colored birds with large, cone-shaped bills. Projections (or swellings) of thick connective tissue, which are located at the edges of the bill and at the gape (width of the open mouth), are one of the weaverfinches most interesting features. The projections are colored a bright white, blue, or yellow, and often edged with black. Their plumage (feathers) often blends in with their environment, but can still be quite colorful. Adults are 3.5 to 6.7 inches (9 to 17 centimeters) long, with a wingspan of about 6 inches (15 centimeters).