Anambra Waxbill (Estrilda poliopareia) [XC288077]
by id from Plaine du S\u00f4, Abomey-Calavi, Benin (call)
Anambra Waxbill (Estrilda poliopareia) [XC288075]
by Bram Piot from Plaine du S\u00f4, Abomey-Calavi, Benin (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Fawn-breasted Waxbill (Estrilda paludicola) and Abyssinian Waxbill (Estrilda ochrogaster) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) have been lumped into Estrilda paludicola, while retaining Anambra Waxbill (Estrilda poliopareia) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993), contra Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993) who lump all three taxa into Estrilda paludicola. This is because recently published photographic evidence has shown that Estrilda poliopareia has white eyes, unlike all other forms of Estrilda paludicola. This, coupled with plumage and other differences, justifies its recognition as a separate species.
Recent studies of mitochondrial phylogeny indicate that this is a distinct species, closest to Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild). In the past was sometimes thought to be a subspecies of Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) (both having barred plumage above and below) or of Fawn-breasted Waxbill (Estrilda paludicola) (both having red rump and lacking red eyestripe).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet