The Black-crowned waxbill is one of several species of waxbills with the color combination of gray, black, white and bright red. The Black-crowned waxbill is widespread across large parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is found in grassy areas in a wide range of habitats such as forest edges, moist savannah and gardens. It takes seeds from blades of grass and from the ground and can hold a panicle of grass with its feet while it eats. When it forages, it often does so in small flocks of up to twenty individuals.