Colours
Distinguishing features
They have a black line running from their eye down their cheek with a matching white line between the black line and the bill. They have a grey head. Their upperparts are olive green. The tail is striped black and white. The legs are a pinkish orange.
Adults have a red bill. Juveniles have a black bill.
Males have a light rufous ear patch, a black chest bar and thin white and black horizontal striping down the chest to the black bar. They hvae buff sides with white spots. They have a white abdomen.
Females and juveniles are plainer, with no ear patch and with a simple buff abdomen.
Size
- Up to 10 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Wingspan data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Zebra Finches inhabit a wide range of grasslands and forests, usually close to water. They are typically found in open steppes with scattered bushes and trees, but have adapted to human disturbances, taking advantage of human-made watering holes and large patches of deforested land. (Wikipedia)
Diet
They are primarily seed-eating birds, as their beaks are adapted for dehusking small seeds. They prefer millet, but will consume many other kinds of small seeds, as well.
They are messy and voracious eaters, typically dropping seed everywhere. This behavior spreads seed around, aiding in plant reproduction. (Wikipedia)
