waxbill

American  

[waks-bil] / ˈwæksˌbɪl /

noun

1. any of several small Old World finches, especially of the genus Estrilda, that have white, pink, or red bills bill of waxy appearance and are often kept as cage birds.

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waxbill British  

/ ˈwæksˌbɪl /

noun

1. any of various chiefly African finchlike weaverbirds of the genus Estrilda and related genera, having a brightly coloured bill and plumage

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Etymology

Origin of waxbill

First recorded in 1745–55; wax ¹ + bill ²

Example Sentences

The same treatment suits the African waxbills, many of which are extremely beautiful, the crimson-eared waxbill or "cordon-bleu" being one of the most lovely and frequently imported.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various

The female is olive brown; the male, in summer, mostly crimson; Ð called also red waxbill.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

The other bird, called a nun or waxbill, is about the size of a thrush, grayish in color, with a waxy red bill.

From Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Roosevelt, Theodore