Estrildidae - Waxbills, Zebra Finches, Firefinches, Parrot Finches

There are about 130 birds in this family. Most are 3-6 inches in length and have cone-shaped bills. They are found in tropical areas of Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia. They are seed and berry eaters and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. They build large domed-shaped nests. Many species in this family, like the zebra finch, are kept as caged pets. An number of the species in this family have been introduced into the wild in North America.