About Coccopygia melanotis (Temminck, 1823)
This species, commonly known as the swee waxbill, has the scientific name Coccopygia melanotis (Temminck, 1823). The swee waxbill reaches 9–10 cm in length. It has a grey head and breast, pale yellow belly, olive back and wings, red lower back and rump, and black tail. Its upper mandible is black, and its lower mandible is red. Males have a black face, while females have a grey face. Juveniles are much duller than females and have an entirely black bill. The swee waxbill typically inhabits upland areas in dry shrubland and open forest. Some subspecies also occur in lowlands, and can be found in large gardens. This is a common, tame bird that is usually seen in small parties, and does not form large flocks. Its characteristic call is a soft swee, swee.
