In Mauritius the Common waxbill is a common bird, found in grasslands, sugar cane plantations, suburban areas, and in open areas inside the forest.

The Common Waxbill is native to most of the subaharian Africa and it is an introduced species that has been recorded in many islands like Cabo Verde, Sao Tomé, Principe, Ascensió, Santa Helena, Mauritius, Reunion, Rodríguez, Seychelles, Amirantes, Nova Caledonia, Tahití, Hawaii, Vanuatu, Bermudes, Puerto Rico, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. It has also been introduced in mainland like Brasil, USA, and SW of Europe, specially Portugal and Spain.

In NE of Spain it is found in grasslands, irrigated herbaceus farmlands, suburban areas, wetlands and specially along rivers and streams, always belows 200m altitud. Despite the very low temperatures and snow, the population of Common waxbill seemed to withstand the winter of 2001-2002. Studies on its interactions with the local species of fauna and flora are still needed.