The Common waxbill (or St Helena waxbill) is a small (11-12 cm), grey-brown and cross-waisted bird with a characteristic red bill, red eye mask, red belly patch and black underbelly. The species is found in moist grassy habitats such as among rushes, reeds, goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus) and bulrush. It is originally a species that was limited to Africa, but has become popular as a cage bird and has thus also become feral in various parts of the world.