Red-eared Firetail
Stagonopleura oculata
The Red-eared Firetail (Stagonopleura oculata) is a rare munias, parrotfinches, waxbills, and alli found only in Australia, weighing about 13 g. The red-eared firetail, also known as the boorin, is a small finch-like species of bird.
About the Red-eared Firetail
The red-eared firetail, also known as the boorin, is a small finch-like species of bird. It occurs in dense wetland vegetation of coastal to sub-coastal regions in Southwest Australia. Its appearance is considered appealing, with white spots, black barring and vivid crimson marks at the ear and upper tail. Red-eared firetails are usually only glimpsed briefly, if at all, as they move rapidly and discreetly through their habitat. Most observations occur when their soft voice is heard, or in flight when flushed from the dense scrub. Males and females are similar in colouring and bond as lifelong pairs that occupy a territory centred on their roosting and brooding nest site. The species…
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How to identify it
The 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. The plumage of the upper parts is olive-brown and the breast is buff-brown, both of which are thinly barred black. White spots appear on the blackish underparts. The female closely resembles the male, except when his colouring intensifies during the breeding season. Voice: Around five separate communication calls of the red-eared firetail had been reported by the late twentieth century. These have been classified in several ways from reports in the field or aviary. Adult vocalisation is distinguished as an identity call, intimate nest-calls, a nest-site call, and a contact or communication call (Pepper, Immelmann) only reported in captives.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Red-eared Firetail can be seen all year round, with peak activity in September. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Red-eared Firetail?
- The 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Red-eared Firetail?
- The Red-eared Firetail is a tiny sized bird weighing about 13 g.
- Where can you see a Red-eared Firetail?
- The Red-eared Firetail is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Red-eared Firetail?
- The Red-eared Firetail is most easily confused with the Beautiful Firetail and the Diamond Firetail.
- Is the Red-eared Firetail endangered?
- The Red-eared Firetail is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Red-eared Firetail for real
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