It is recommended to place a proposed nest close to the ground. Waxbills will build their own nest, but will also take easily to a covered canary basket, placed behind greenery or mounted in a small bush. Owners are also encouraged to maintain the availability of fresh bathing water daily. Among the hobbyists raising captive birds, red-eared waxbills are reputed to be difficult to breed. Most waxbills breed better in single pairs, unless the aviary is a large outdoor planted one.
Clutches typically consist of three or more eggs, and are tended to by both sexes.
The incubation period is approximately 12 days. Once the fledgling emerge, anticipate approximately 2 weeks after fledging before the chicks are fully independent. The chicks should spend at least two and one-half additional weeks with the parents to be certain. The difficulty in breeding waxbills is not a reluctance to nest, but that they frequently abandon their nests even when conditions are good. Experts emphasis the waxbills need for privacy, especially during breeding.