Last updated: October 2026
Written by the Birdsville team.
The Saint Helena Waxbill, also called the St Helena Finch or Common Waxbill, is a tiny African finch with a bright red bill, a red stripe through the eye and fine brown barring all over its body. Saints are active, social little birds that live in flocks in the wild, and they settle well in both aviaries and breeding cabinets. They eat a quality finch seed mix with sprouted seed, millet sprays, greens, grit, egg and biscuit and live food, and they breed in nest boxes and wicker nests from spring through to autumn. This page covers where Saint Helena Waxbills come from, how to tell males from females, housing, diet, breeding and how to keep them healthy. Saint Helena Waxbills are available at Birdsville in Alexandria from time to time, so call us to check, and we stock everything you need to keep them.
Saint Helena Waxbill Key Takeaways
Saint Helena Waxbills are small African finches, also known as St Helena Finches or Common Waxbills.
They’re named after the island of Saint Helena in the Atlantic, where they also live, but they come from mainland Africa.
Males have more red on the belly than hens, and a black vent where hens are brown.
Saints eat finch seed, sprouted seed, millet sprays, greens, grit, egg and biscuit, and live food.
Hens lay 4 to 7 white eggs that hatch in about 12 days.
Always offer more nests than pairs, and clean out old nesting material after each breeding season.
Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary is our recommended seed for Saint Helena Waxbills.
Saint Helena Waxbills are available at Birdsville from time to time, so call (02) 9669 1766 to check.
Saint Helena Waxbill Quick Facts
Scientific name: Estrilda astrild
Other names: St Helena Waxbill, St Helena Finch, Common Waxbill, Saints
Size: about 10 to 13cm long
Weight: about 6 to 11 grams
Lifespan: up to about 4 years with good care
Native range: sub-Saharan Africa, across most of East, Central and Southern Africa
Introduced range: Saint Helena, Ascension, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Hawaii and many other islands
Habitat: open country with long grass and reeds, near water, as well as farmland, parks and villages
Temperament: active and social, lives in flocks
Experience level: beginner to intermediate
Clutch: 4 to 7 white eggs
Incubation: about 12 days, shared by both parents
Breeding season: around September to April
Where Do Saint Helena Waxbills Come From?
Saint Helena Waxbills come from sub-Saharan Africa, where they’re found across most of East, Central and Southern Africa.
True to finch nature, they’re never far from water, living in long grass, reeds and marshes, as well as villages, farmland and grassy fields. They’ve also spread to many islands around the world, including Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, which is where their common name comes from. The name waxbill comes from their shiny red beak, which looks like old fashioned sealing wax. Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_waxbill) has more on Saint Helena Waxbills in the wild.
How Do You Tell a Male Saint Helena Waxbill From a Female?
Male Saint Helena Waxbills have more red on the belly than females, and the area under the tail is black on males but brownish on hens.
Hens look much like males but are paler overall. Compare several adult birds side by side to see the difference in the red belly patch. Young birds are harder to sex, as they’re duller, with little or no red on the belly and a black bill. DNA testing is the only way to be completely sure.
How Do You House Saint Helena Waxbills?
Saint Helena Waxbills can be kept and bred in a breeding cabinet or an aviary, and they’re happiest in pairs or small groups.
Saints live in flocks in the wild, so never keep one on its own. Give them a sheltered, draught free space with long grasses or shrubs for cover and plenty of perches. Our guide to finch cages and aviaries (https://birdsville.net.au/finch-cages-aviaries/) covers cage size, bar spacing and aviary setup in detail.
What Do Saint Helena Waxbills Eat?
Saint Helena Waxbills eat a quality finch seed mix, plus sprouted seed, millet sprays, greens, grit, egg and biscuit, live food, fresh water and a regular vitamin boost.
Seed
Feed your Saints a good quality finch mix, especially if you want to breed them. Our first choice is Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-finch-canary-500g), made fresh in store, and Basic Finch Mix (https://petsville.com.au/products/avigrain-seed-finch-blue-2kg) is a good everyday option. Be wary of some supermarket mixes, as they may be low quality. If you’re unsure about the seed you’re using, ask your local bird expert. Our Finch Seed page (https://birdsville.net.au/seeds-grains/finch-seed/) has more.
Sprouted Seed
Sprouted seed is a great addition to the diet. Always wash it thoroughly with Vetafarm Aviclens (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-aviclens-water-cleanser-100ml) before feeding to remove any bacteria. Our Best Bird Treats page (https://birdsville.net.au/bird-treats-tips-and-sprouted-mix/) explains how to sprout seed.
Millet Sprays
Millet sprays are fresh seed still on the stem, and all finches love them. Hang Millet Sprays (https://petsville.com.au/products/millet-sprays-mixed-100g) in a Millet Spray Holder (https://petsville.com.au/products/jw-insight-feeder-millet-spray-holder) to keep them clean.
Greens
Offer seeding grasses, endive, dandelion, cucumber and chickweed. Make sure anything you pick is free of pesticides.
Live Food
Live food is an important part of a Saint’s diet, especially when breeding. Offer mealworms and fly pupae with a few pinches of Vetafarm Insectivore Rearing Mix (https://petsville.com.au/products/wombaroo-insectivore-rearing-mix-250g).
Egg and Biscuit
Egg and biscuit formula, such as Shep’s Egg and Biscuit (https://petsville.com.au/products/sheps-egg-biscuit-500g), is an important supplement, especially when breeding. You can feed it dry or mixed with a little water.
Grit
Offer a good quality fine finch grit with charcoal, shell, baked egg shell, crushed cuttlebone and limestone, such as Shell Grit (https://petsville.com.au/products/shell-grit-5kg), in its own dish.
Vitamins and Water
Every finch benefits from a regular vitamin boost for health and vitality. Add vitamins such as Vetafarm Multivet (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-multivet-50ml) to the water, not the seed, because finches hull their seed as they eat. Saints need to drink often, so make sure they always have fresh, clean drinking water.
How Do You Breed Saint Helena Waxbills?
Saint Helena Waxbills breed in breeding cabinets or aviaries from around September to April, using nest boxes or wicker nests, and the hen lays 4 to 7 white eggs.
Supply nesting material such as Swamp Grass (https://petsville.com.au/products/breeders-delight-nesting-material-swamp-grass-50g) and feathers so they can line the nest. Both parents share the incubation, which takes about 12 days. The young stay in the nest for about 3 weeks before they venture out, and then the parents feed them for roughly another 3 weeks while they build confidence and learn to crack seed. Increase live food and egg and biscuit throughout breeding. Never remove young birds from the aviary until they’re fully weaned.
Why Offer More Nests Than Pairs?
Always put out more nests than you have pairs. Giving Saints a choice stops them squabbling over a favourite nest site and gives every pair a better chance of breeding.
How Do You Keep Saint Helena Waxbills Healthy?
Keep Saint Helena Waxbills healthy with a varied diet, fresh water every day, a draught free home and regular cleaning.
Change water and seed daily, clean the cage or aviary weekly with a bird safe disinfectant, and remove all the old nesting material once breeding is finished. Keep new birds apart for 2 weeks before they join your others. A finch that sits fluffed up and quiet may be unwell, so see an avian vet. Our Common Bird Illnesses page (https://birdsville.net.au/common-bird-illnesses/) lists the warning signs.
When Do Saint Helena Waxbills Breed in Sydney?
In Sydney, Saint Helena Waxbills breed from around September to April, through the warmer months.
October is the time to put out fresh nests and nesting material and to start increasing live food. In summer, make sure they have shade and plenty of fresh water, as Saints drink often. These are tiny African birds, so in winter give them a covered, draught free area and cover indoor cages at night.
A Tip From Our Staff
When the breeding season ends, take out every nest and throw away all the old nesting material. Then put in fresh nests and material when the next season starts. Old nesting material gets dirty over a season, and a clean start gives your Saints the best chance of raising healthy chicks.
Saint Helena Waxbill Frequently Asked Questions
Are Saint Helena Waxbills good for beginners?
Yes, Saint Helena Waxbills can suit beginners who are ready for a small, active finch. They do well in pairs or small groups in a breeding cabinet or aviary. Feed a quality finch seed mix with sprouted seed, greens, grit and live food, add vitamins to their water and keep them out of draughts.
How do you tell male and female Saint Helena Waxbills apart?
Male Saint Helena Waxbills have more red on the belly than females, and their vent area under the tail is black, while the hen’s is brownish. Hens are also slightly paler overall. Young birds are hard to sex until they colour up, and DNA testing is the only way to know for certain.
Why is it called a Saint Helena Waxbill?
It’s named after Saint Helena, a small island in the South Atlantic where these finches also live. The waxbill part comes from their shiny red beak, which looks like sealing wax. Their wild home is mainland Africa, and they’re also known as the Common Waxbill and the St Helena Finch.
What do Saint Helena Waxbills eat?
Saint Helena Waxbills eat a quality finch seed mix, sprouted seed, millet sprays, greens such as seeding grasses, chickweed and dandelion, fine grit, egg and biscuit, and live food like mealworms and fly pupae. Add vitamins to their water. Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary is our recommended seed for Saints.
When do Saint Helena Waxbills breed?
Saint Helena Waxbills breed from around September to April in Sydney. Hens lay 4 to 7 white eggs, and both parents incubate them for about 12 days. The chicks leave the nest at about 3 weeks old, and the parents keep feeding them for another 3 weeks while they learn to crack seed.
Where can I buy Saint Helena Waxbills in Sydney?
Saint Helena Waxbills are available at Birdsville, 684 Botany Road, Alexandria, from time to time. Call us on (02) 9669 1766 to check whether we have any in. We always stock the finch seed, live food, nesting material and supplements you need to keep them, and our team can help you set up.
Where Can I Buy Saint Helena Waxbills and Supplies in Sydney?
Saint Helena Waxbills are available at Birdsville from time to time, at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney. We stock everything you need to keep them all year round. Visit us or call (02) 9669 1766 to check what we have in, and our team will help you with diet, housing and breeding advice. We’re open 9:30am to 5:30pm weekdays, 10am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday, with directions on our Contact page (https://birdsville.net.au/contact-birdsville/). Live birds are collected in store only. Follow us on TikTok ([ADD TIKTOK LINK]), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BirdsvilleRosebery/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/petsvillesydney/) for live updates and to see when new birds arrive.
Petsville (https://petsville.com.au/) ships finch seed and supplies anywhere in Australia, including our Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary. Seed can’t be sent to WA or Tasmania because of quarantine laws.
Popular Saint Helena Waxbill supplies on Petsville:
Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-finch-canary-500g)
Millet Sprays (https://petsville.com.au/products/millet-sprays-mixed-100g)
Vetafarm Insectivore Rearing Mix (https://petsville.com.au/products/wombaroo-insectivore-rearing-mix-250g)
Shep’s Egg and Biscuit (https://petsville.com.au/products/sheps-egg-biscuit-500g)
Swamp Grass Nesting Material (https://petsville.com.au/products/breeders-delight-nesting-material-swamp-grass-50g)
Vetafarm Multivet (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-multivet-50ml)
About Birdsville
Birdsville has been at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015 since 1985, and we believe we’re now the oldest bricks and mortar bird shop still trading in Australia. Owner Ash brings experience from vet clinics and from the Rainforest Habitat in Port Douglas, now Wildlife Habitat. We’re a small business that does things in a big way, and we keep our products the best of the best.
Sources
Wild range, habitat, size, weight, sexing, clutch and name origin: Wikipedia, Common Waxbill
Lifespan, diet, breeding and nesting advice: the Birdsville team
Product details: Petsville product listings
