Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Estrilda melopoda), Granite Reef Recreation Area, Salt River, Maricopa County

This Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Estrilda melopoda) was found and photographed by Edward Dukart Jr. on 18 May 2008 at the Granite Reef Recreation Area in NE Mesa.  It was foraging with a small flock of Townsend's, Yellow-rumped and Yellow Warblers.

This very popular cage bird is native to Western and Eastern Africa.  This individual is doubtless an escape.

18 May 2008, photo by Edward Dukart_Jr.