INTRODUCTION

The existence and discoveries of different masterpieces has really been astonishing, of which their presence has made planet earth beautiful as well as subject to further research in discovery of new and unconspicuous things. It’s really fasinating when you discover and stumble on new things, creatures, theories, events e.t.c leaving you puzzled if there lies a possibility of we ever exhausting the bank of masterpieces mother nature has to offer. There is so much to know, learn from and research on. I was busy looking up some new stuffs when I came across a rare bird which has been recorded to be sighted only 5 times. A bird that that’s only found in southern Nigeria and no where else on earth with an estimated global occurrence of 38,000km2. It’s the Anambra Waxbill (Estrilda poliopareia) which is of the estrildid finch specie.

IDENTIFICATION

The Anambra Waxbill which was discovered by Reichenow 1902, is a small bird with many colours measuring approximately 12cm long, with a dun-coloured finch and reddish brown bill and rump. A close look at the waxbill shows very fine barring and upperparts, side of the breast and flanks with unusual pale eyes unlike other waxbills.

HABITAT AND FEEDING

It is usually found in long grass rivers, lagoons, sandbanks, marshes, swamps and forests. The bird is known for it’s unique sound which is similar to a “tzzzt” sound, and feeds on sedges and grasses (of genera kyllinga, fimbristylis, digitaria and panicum).

CONSERVATION

The Waxbill is susceptible to extinction because its rare, hardly seen and it’s estimated population is unknown. Sadly, no conservation measures have been undertaken to prevent the occurrence of such, this is basically because in a country like Nigeria, little attention is paid to sustaining the existence of endangered species as conservitism in relation to such is deemed rather irrelevant. However, there was a proposal to conduct a population survey to determine it’s distribution, habitat requirement and potential threat. It was also proposed to study it’s behaviour, it’s voice and DNA to clarify its taxonomic relationship with the fan-breasted waxbill (E. Paludicola). As at the time of writing this post, it is uncertain if the propsed studies were eventually carried out or if they were just neglected without execution.

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Am sure the few minutes spent reading this was worth while and knowledge was added, now you sure know the bird that exists in only one place in the world, its the Waxbill, none other than the ANAMBRA WAXBILL. Thanks for reading :)

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Images:

http://9jatravel.com.ng/12-shocking-facts-about-nigeria/
https://africanbirdclub.org/afbid/search/birddetails/species/2313/23791
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/551057704388006038/

Sources:

https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/anambra.waxbill.html
https://en.m.wikipedia/wiki/Anambra_waxbill
https://www.passnow.com/10-amazing-bird-facts-anambra-waxbill/