Zebra Finch
Taeniopygia guttata· 梅花雀科(3 photos)
Photographed In:
Locations:
Australian Zebra Finch
10 cm. Male: grey, bill red; orange-tan cheekpatch/flanks, latter spotted white; rump white; tail black, barred white. Female: bill red; black/white face/tail-markings; otherwise greyish. Immature: like female; bill black. Pairs, large flocks at water: forages on ground; takes flying insects. Flight undulating; rump/tail prominent.
- Similar Species
- Southern Whiteface.
- Voice
- loud 'tya', like toy trumpet.
- Habitat
- near water, in mulga, spinifex, gibber; grasslands, open woodlands/shrublands/scrubs, saltbush, crops, orchards, gardens.
- Breeding
- most months.
- Nest
- untidy, domed, of grass, twigs, rootlets; lined with feathers, plant down, fur; 2-4 m high, in shrub, tree, hollow branch, fence-post, termite mound, tussock; old nest of babbler, Fairy Martin.
- Eggs
- 4-5 (6); pale blue.
- Range & Status
- mainland Aust., islands. Except in drought, mostly absent from wetter/coastal districts of se., sw. Aust.; sparse n. Kimberley (WA); Top End (NT); C. York Pen. (Q). Common. Sedentary; nomadic. Also e. Indonesia.
- Distribution key to races
- 1. Taeniopygia guttata castanotis
