Colours
Distinguishing features
It has a fiery red bill, eyes, and rump. Just below the throat, it has a thick black band that extends horizontally until it reaches the lower part of the wings which are also black with white spots. There is also a black eye band that starts at the beak and ends right at the eye. The bird's tail is also black.
The rest of the wings are a slightly tan, light brown color. Its head and back is light gray and its belly and chin are white.
This bird is considered one of the smallest of the finches. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 12 cm (Length of specimen)
Wingspan
- Up to 26 cm
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
The finch is found in eastern Australia from the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, to south-eastern Queensland, often on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range. The bird lives in eucalypt forest and woodland, mallee country, farmland and grassland. (Wikipedia)
Diet
In the wild, they eat ripe or partially ripe fruits and their seeds. They also eat some insects and their larvae. The birds spend a significant amount of time on the ground finding seeds and insects. (Wikipedia)
