HOME | DD

Description

Species Name: Red-browed Finch

Species Latin Name: Neochmia temporalis

Sub Species Names:

Native To: East Coast of Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Serendip Sanctuary

Size (length): 11-12cm (0.4-4.7 inches)

Weight: 8-14.6g (0.3-0.5oz)

Lifespan: 6-7 Years

Description:

These beautiful small finches feature a variety of colours across their body. Their main body will be a light gray with their the tips of their wings, tail and the top of their head being a darker shade of gray. The upper portion of their tail and their brow will be a vibrant reddish-orange colour. The main portion of their wings will be a dark greenish colour with a more vibrant yellowish-green around the back of their neck. Their bills are a vibrant red with black strips on the top and bottom. These birds have small brown eyes

Diet:

These small birds will typically feed on seed as well as small insects that are on the ground. Occassionally these birds will perch on seeding grass heads before the seed itself falls to the ground. These birds will mostly live on native grass and sedge seed but are quite content with eating introduced seeds as well.

Behaviour:

These are highly social birds that tend to flock together in groups of around ten to twenty individuals. These flocks will prefer open woodland areas, particularly the edges of forests where the brushy scrub meets cleared areas especially near creeks. These finches build large domed nests with a side entrance which is made from woven grass and small twigs. These nests are usually built 2-3 metres (6.6-9.8 feet) above the ground. As these birds are highly social these nests are also communal. Both the parents share the role of nest building, egg incubation, feeding and raising the young together. If these birds are disturbed in their flocks they will disperse letting out their short, high-pitched cheeps before re-congrating nearby.

Threats to the species:

This species is listed as least concern and has a healthy population throughout the eastern coast of Australia. That said there is indication from Animal Control CRC which indicates that the introduced Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punctulata) currently threatens some native mannikin birds through increased competition. There are concerns that as the population increases for the Nutmeg Mannikin this could pose issues for the Red-browed Finch in Northern Queensland.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-brow…

Birdlife: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profi…

Animalia: animalia.bio/red-browed-finch

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…

Description

Species Name: Red-browed Finch

Species Latin Name: Neochmia temporalis

Sub Species Names:

Native To: East Coast of Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Serendip Sanctuary

Size (length): 11-12cm (0.4-4.7 inches)

Weight: 8-14.6g (0.3-0.5oz)

Lifespan: 6-7 Years

Description:

These beautiful small finches feature a variety of colours across their body. Their main body will be a light gray with their the tips of their wings, tail and the top of their head being a darker shade of gray. The upper portion of their tail and their brow will be a vibrant reddish-orange colour. The main portion of their wings will be a dark greenish colour with a more vibrant yellowish-green around the back of their neck. Their bills are a vibrant red with black strips on the top and bottom. These birds have small brown eyes

Diet:

These small birds will typically feed on seed as well as small insects that are on the ground. Occassionally these birds will perch on seeding grass heads before the seed itself falls to the ground. These birds will mostly live on native grass and sedge seed but are quite content with eating introduced seeds as well.

Behaviour:

These are highly social birds that tend to flock together in groups of around ten to twenty individuals. These flocks will prefer open woodland areas, particularly the edges of forests where the brushy scrub meets cleared areas especially near creeks. These finches build large domed nests with a side entrance which is made from woven grass and small twigs. These nests are usually built 2-3 metres (6.6-9.8 feet) above the ground. As these birds are highly social these nests are also communal. Both the parents share the role of nest building, egg incubation, feeding and raising the young together. If these birds are disturbed in their flocks they will disperse letting out their short, high-pitched cheeps before re-congrating nearby.

Threats to the species:

This species is listed as least concern and has a healthy population throughout the eastern coast of Australia. That said there is indication from Animal Control CRC which indicates that the introduced Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punctulata) currently threatens some native mannikin birds through increased competition. There are concerns that as the population increases for the Nutmeg Mannikin this could pose issues for the Red-browed Finch in Northern Queensland.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-brow…

Birdlife: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profi…

Animalia: animalia.bio/red-browed-finch

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…