This waxbill is recorded in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A flock of eight was rediscovered by Lake Kabwe in Upemba National Park in 2023. Genetic work has not settled whether it is separate from the Common Waxbill.
The flock photographed in 2023 had blunt red bills, pale brown upperparts washed pink, fine dusky barring, and a black patch in front of the eye.
On 29 September 2023, eight birds were briefly observed moving through wetland vegetation on the north shore of Lake Kabwe. Little is known about their diet or other natural history.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.