The violet-eared waxbill or common grenadier (Granatina granatina) is a common species of estrildid finch found in drier land of Southern Africa.

One of the first things to know about violet eared waxbills is that they require good heat levels to survive here in the UK and other northern hemisphere countries. Because they are southern African birds, they are built for their native climate and need heat to survive even cooler times of year. Birds bred in this country might be a little hardier but not worth taking a chance.