Star Finch (Emblema ruficauda) | Photos and ID

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Star Finch (Emblema ruficauda), photo 8 — Photo: (c) Alan Bell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY

ID tip

The star finch is an estrildid finch, between 10 and 12 cm in length, with crimson fore-parts of the head and a scarlet bill. The upper and lower plumage is yellow-green, white spotted on the underparts, the belly more yellow. The upper tail coverts are scarlet, tail feathers are brownish scarlet. The female has less crimson on the head, and generally duller than the male, the immature star finch is olive to brownish with a grey face and head. The broad white spots under its chin and down its flanks give rise to its common name.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

About the Star Finch

The star finch is a seed-eating bird species found in northern Australia. It has a distinctive red face and bill, and broad white spots down its flanks. One of its three subspecies may be extinct.

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

Easily confused with

Plum-headed FinchEmblema modestumThe plum-headed finch is a robust bird, with a stocky, strong beak and a long tail.

Painted FinchEmblema pictumThe 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).

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