Masked Finch
Poephila personata· 梅花雀科(3 photos)
Locations:
Masked Finch
12.5-13.5 cm. Male larger. Bill heavy, yellow-orange; face/chin black; crown red-brown; upperparts cinnamon-brown; breast paler; underparts/rump white with heavy black flank-mark, long pointed black tail. Immature: duller, no black mask; bill blackish. Race leucotis, 'White-eared Finch': redder brown; face, ear-coverts white. Parties, flocks of 20-30; breeding colonies; companies gather to drink, bathe, preen at waterholes. Feeds much on ground.
- Similar Species
- Long-tailed, Black-throated Finches.
- Voice
- low 'twaat, twaat'; somewhat like Zebra Finch; groups chatter.
- Habitat
- near water in grasslands with shrubs, scattered timber; paperbarks.
- Breeding
- Feb.-June.
- Nest
- globular; of broad grasses, seed-heads; lined with plant down, fur, feathers, paper, charcoal; in bushes, low trees, ground near stump, log; old nest hole of kingfisher in termite mound.
- Eggs
- 4-5 (6); white, oval.
- Range & Status
- nominate race: from Broome (WA), through Kimberley; Top End (NT) s. to Victoria R. Downs-Newcastle Waters-Brunette Downs; Gulf lowlands s. to c. Camooweal (Q). Race leucotis: s. C. York Pen. (Q) from c. lower Leichhardt R., n. to Watson R., Princess Charlotte Bay; s. to c. Georgetown-Chillagoe. Fairly common. Sedentary.
- Distribution key to races
- 1. Poephila personata personata 2. Poephila personata leucotis
