Long-tailed Finch

Poephila acuticauda

Least ConcernRareEndemicSeedsGrasslandDomed nestTiny · 14 g

About the Long-tailed Finch

The long-tailed finch is a common species of estrildid finch found in northern Australia, from the Kimberley region to the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is a predominantly fawn-coloured bird with a pale grey head and prominent black bib and eyes. It inhabits dry savannah habitats in Australia and adapts readily to aviculture. It is known as the Hex finch in the United Kingdom, and Heck's finch in other parts of the world.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The adult long-tailed finch is around 160 mm in length, the weight range of males is 13.5–16.2 grams and females 11.4–17.6 g. It has a prominent roundish black bib on its throat and upper chest and a long pointed black tail. It has pinkish brown upperparts with paler plumage below its bib over the lower breast and abdomen. It has a grey head, a white ear-patch, and black lores. It has black patches on its upper flanks and its rump and undertail coverts are white. The beak colour of the adult long-tailed finch varies from red through orange to yellow.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in July · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Long-tailed Finch for real

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