Black-throated Finch
Poephila cincta
The Black-throated Finch (Poephila cincta) is a rare munias, parrotfinches, waxbills, and alli found only in Australia, weighing about 15 g. The black-throated finch, or parson finch, is a species of estrildid finch found in grassy woodlands throughout north-east Australia from Cape York Peninsula to central Queensland.
About the Black-throated Finch
The black-throated finch, or parson finch, is a species of estrildid finch found in grassy woodlands throughout north-east Australia from Cape York Peninsula to central Queensland. The southern black-throated finch is endangered, with a population in decline and its habitat is threatened by development, and has become extinct in New South Wales, while the northern black-throated finch is not listed as threatened at this point.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Measuring around 10 cm (4 in) in length, the black-throated finch has a short black bill, lores, and throat, sharply delineated from the rest of the pale grey head. The wings, breast and belly are pale pinkish brown, and the short tail is black, while the rump is black in northern forms and white in southern. The vocalisation of P. cincta is comparable to that of the sister species Poephila acuticauda, although lower in tone and slightly less simple in the harmonic structures. Up to twelve calls have been identified, and the structure and tone of these is also distinguishable by subspecies.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in July. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-throated Finch?
- Measuring around 10 cm (4 in) in length, the black-throated finch has a short black bill, lores, and throat, sharply delineated from the rest of the pale grey head. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-throated Finch?
- The Black-throated Finch is a tiny sized bird weighing about 15 g.
- Where can you see a Black-throated Finch?
- The Black-throated Finch is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Black-throated Finch?
- The Black-throated Finch is most easily confused with the Masked Finch and the Long-tailed Finch.
- Is the Black-throated Finch endangered?
- The Black-throated Finch is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-throated Finch for real
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