Small flocks of orange-cheeked waxbills are often seen foraging in grasses for seed and small insects. They climb and hop on grass stems, sometimes dragging delicate stems to the ground to access the seed-heads. Both sexes have light brown backs, light underbellies, grey heads and orange cheek patches. Orange-cheeked waxbill, introduced to Hawaiʻi from West and Central Africa were first observed on Maui in 1989.

The map below shows hotspots along our birding trails where you might see this bird.