Current view: Data table and detailed info
Taxonomic note
Previously (Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International 2022) placed in Estrilda but moved to current genus following Olsson and Alström (2020). Treated as subspecies of B. erythronotos in HBW, and this position partially adopted subsequently (Dickinson and Christidis 2014, Turner and Pearson 2015). Evidence, however, points in opposite direction: present species differs from geographically close B. e. delamerei in its grey vs black lower chin and upper throat (2); paler, much less crimson-shot grey breast and flanks (2); pinkish grey-white vs black belly to vent (3); smaller bill (effect size -2.17, score 2); and (despite claim of “no differences in vocalizations” in HBW) “much harsher” calls (Stevenson and Fanshawe 2002) (allow at least 1); moreover, distribution appears parapatric or even slightly overlapping with delamerei, evidence used to conclude species status (Fry and Keith 2004, Wolters 1985). Proposed subspecies pallidior (from N Guaso, on R Nyiro, in Kenya) considered inseparable from charmosyna. Two subspecies currently recognized.
Taxonomic source(s)
Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International. 2023. Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 8. Available at: https://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_Checklist_v8_Dec23.zip.
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Red List history
| Migratory status |
not a migrant |
Forest dependency |
does not normally occur in forest |
| Land-mass type |
|
Average mass |
7 g |
Population justification: The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common or locally common (Clement 1999). The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Trend justification: The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-cheeked Waxbill Brunhilda charmosyna. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-cheeked-waxbill-brunhilda-charmosyna on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.
