About the Painted Finch
The painted finch is a common species of estrildid finch found in Australia. The painted finch acquired its name due to the red and white spotted and mottled underparts of both males and females. The binomial comes from emblema meaning 'mosaic or inlaid work'; and pictum derives from the Latin word pictus, meaning 'painted'. Other names include Emblema finch, mountain finch, painted firetail and Emblema. The painted finch is a popular bird to be kept in captivity and in backyard aviaries.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The painted finch is a small passerine that is 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in) in length and weighs around 11.5 g (0.41 oz). Male painted finches have a red forehead and face that stand out in contrast to the black breast of individuals. A bright red patch in the middle of the breast is present, while the sides of the breast, belly and flanks are black with white spots. The tail and upper body and upper wing are a reddish-brown colour. The rump and uppertail coverts are also mostly red and highly conspicuous when the birds is in flight.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in August · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Pink-throated TwinspotHypargos margaritatusThe pink-throated twinspot is a small seed-eating bird in the family Estrildidae.
Red-eared FiretailStagonopleura oculataThe red-eared firetail is a small grass-finch with black-barred and white-spotted plumage, distinguished by its scarlet bill, black mask, and bright crimson red patch behind the eye and at the rump.
Red-throated TwinspotHypargos niveoguttatusThe red-throated twinspot or Peters's twinspot is a common species of bird found in sub-saharan Africa.
Learn the Painted Finch for real
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