Colours
Distinguishing features
It is a small plump bird, slightly smaller than the Diamond Firetail. Its plumage is mostly olive-brown. The white chest has a fine pattern of dark lines. The head has a black mask with pale blue rings around the eyes and a thick red beak. Its rump is a deep red, its legs and feet are creamy pink. The wings and tail are short and rounded.
Juvenile birds are less colourful with a smaller face mask and a blackish beak. The male has a black abdomen. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 10 cm to 13 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura (Stagonopleura) bella)
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is endemic in Southeastern Australia. Its distribution range extends from Newcastle to Kangaroo Island, however, the bird is most prolific in Tasmania and off-shore islands. It lives in coastal heathland, forests and shrubbery, never far from water.
It is considered a resident bird, keeping close to home. (Wikipedia)
Diet
It mainly feeds on grass seed and Casuarina and Melaleuca seeds. It can also be found in association with Banksia ericifolia heathland in coastal New South Wales.
Small insects and snails occasionally complement this herbivore diet. (Wikipedia)
