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Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) Alternate name(s): "Blood Finch"; NB: Includes former "Pale Crimson Finch" ("White-bellied Crimson Finch") Size: 13-14 cm Body mass: 9-10 g

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Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Crimson Finches are medium-sized finches. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are different. Both sexes have crimson sides to their heads and a crimson throat patch. The tail and rump are also crimson. Male Crimson Finches have a red chest, sides and flanks, with white spots on the sides. The crown and nape of the neck are grey. The rest of the back is brownish-crimson, with darker grey flight feathers. The belly, vent and undertail coverts of race "phaeton" are black. Males of race "evangelinae" (the former "Pale Crimson Finch" or "White-bellied Crimson Finch") have a white belly, vent and undertail coverts and a greyish base of the bill. Females of both races are the same. They have a grey to buff front, from chest to undertail coverts, grey to greyish-brown crown and nape of the neck and a brown back. The eyes of both sexes have brown irises. The strong, wedge-shaped bill is crimson; the legs and feet are pinkish-grey. Juveniles have a grey bill and duller colours.

Taxonomy, classification See Crimson Finch at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Crimson Finch is available HERE . There are two races of Crimson Finches, which reside in New Guinea and the tropical North of Australia. Nominate race "phaeton" is endemic to the tropical North of Australia. They populate almost all of the Kimberley, WA, the Top End of the NT and the South coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, to about Lagoon Creek, QLD. In addition, they are also present on a narrow strip along the QLD East coast, from Cape Melville southward to about Bowen, QLD. Race "evangelinae" is found on parts of Cape York peninsula and farther North, in West Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Crimson Finches have a preference for watercourses, especially with tall grass and/or pandanus. They are also found in eucalypt (preferably paperbark) woodland and in commercial crops.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "phaeton" B. Hensen reports spotting Crimson Finches, race "phaeton", at Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, in March 2013 and again in August 2017. We first spotted Crimson Finches, race "phaeton", at Fogg Dam NR, NT, and at Holmes Jungle NR, Darwin, NT, in August 2014. Various contributors have since reported spotting Crimson Finches, race "phaeton", in different locations in and around Darwin, NT, where P. Brown found them nesting in April 2020. J. Greaves reports finding Crimson Finches, race "phaeton", at Ivanhoe Crossing, Kununurra, WA, in January 2016. M. Mearns reports spotting Crimson Finches, race "phaeton", at Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, far-western QLD, in November 2012 and again in September 2019. This location is on the eastern edge of this race's range. M. Eaton found Crimson Finches, race "phaeton", at Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, in December 2018, and at Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, in September 2020 and again in August 2023. J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours also reports finding Crimson Finches, race "phaeton", at Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, in October 2019, and at Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, in November 2020.

Photos

Race "phaeton" (includes former race "iredalei")

ADULT

PAIR

Near-lateral/lateral view of a pair of Crimson Finches, male on the right (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, November 2012]

MALE

Close-up near-frontal view of a male Crimson Finch looking at the observer; note the black belly patch
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, July 2020]

Close-up near-frontal view of a male Crimson Finch looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, July 2020]

Near-frontal view of a male Crimson Finch looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, August 2023]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Crimson Finch looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, October 2019]

Near-frontal view of a male Crimson Finch during take-off - note how dark this individual is coloured
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Near-lateral view of a male Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, August 2023]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, October 2019]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, October 2019]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, August 2023]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Cattana Wetlands, Cairns, QLD, October 2019]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, March 2013]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch flapping its wings (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Leanyer Swmap, Darwin, NT, March 2019]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, September 2020]

Lateral view of a male Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, November 2012]

Two male Crimson Finches by the side of a waterhole (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, November 2012]

Near-dorsal view of a male Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Close-up dorsal view of a male Crimson Finch looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, July 2020]

Distant view of a male Crimson Finch in flight (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Near Dripstone Cliffs, Darwin, NT, December 2017]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, November 2020]

Frontal view of a female Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Smithfield, QLD, December 2018]

Frontal view of a moulting female Crimson Finch looking sideways
[Holmes Jungle NR, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Near-frontal view of a female Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, August 2017]

Near-frontal view of a female Crimson Finch, different posture (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, August 2017]

Near-lateral view of a female Crimson Finch; note the damage to the bird's toes (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, August 2023]

Near-lateral view of a female Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Smithfield, QLD, December 2018]

Lateral view of a female Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a female Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, August 2017]

Close-up dorsal view of a female Crimson Finch looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, July 2020]

Dorsal view of a female Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Smithfield, QLD, December 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of an immature Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Lateral view of an immature Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Frontal/dorsal view of two immature Crimson Finches
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Frontal/ventral view of a juvenile Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Leanyer Swmap, Darwin, NT, March 2019]

Three different types of Crimson Finch plumage: Male, bottom left, juvenile centre, and female, far right
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Roseberry, Darwin, NT, May 2018]

Female Crimson Finch, back, with two jvenile birds (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Roseberry, Darwin, NT, May 2018]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Close-up partly obscured close-up near-frontal view of a juvenile Crimson Finch
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Close-up near-lateral view of a juvenile Crimson Finch looking towards the observer
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Crimson Finch; note the pale gape (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Coomalie Creek, 90 km south of Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Partly obscured close-up near-lateral view of a juvenile Crimson Finch looking towards the observer
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Lateral view of a juvenile Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Coomalie Creek, 90 km south of Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Partly obscured close-up lateral view of a juvenile Crimson Finch
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Lateral view of a juvenile Crimson Finch (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Dorsal view of a juvenile Crimson Finch looking sideways
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Sep - May

Eggs: 5 - 7

Incubation period: 11 - 15 days

Fledging age: 20 - 21 days

The breeding period listed in the table applies to northern QLD. In the Top End of the NT and along the northern coastal fringe of WA the breeding season is restricted to Jan-Apr.

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Dome

Material: Grass, bark, leaves, feather lining

Height above ground 2 - ? m

Nest building: Male & female?

Incubation: Female & male

Dependent care: Female & male

View into a Crimson Finch nest with chicks inside (photo courtesy of A. Lee)
[East Russell, near Cairns, QLD, March 2018]

Crimson Finch at the entrance of its nest (photo courtesy of A. Lee)
[East Russell, near Cairns, QLD, March 2018]

Crimson Finch nest in Pandanus (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, April 2020]

Male Crimson Finch nest owner (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, April 2020]

Female Crimson Finch nest owner (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, April 2020]

Moulting male Crimson Finch collecting nest material (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Moulting male Crimson Finch collecting nest material (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Darwin, NT, July 2020]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 14 x 12 mm

Colour: White

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Sedentary

Elementary unit: Mob/flock

Although living and breeding communally, Crimson Finches are known to be belligerent, with constant squabbles among each other, and outright aggression towards other finches.

Food, Diet

Adults: Seeds

Dependents: Regurgitated seeds

Water intake: Daily

Like all other finches known to us, Crimson Finches feed on seeds.

Lateral view of a female Crimson Finch feeding on grass seeds
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Crimson Finch feeding on seeds (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, April 2018]

Two male Crimson Finches by the side of a waterhole (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, QLD, November 2012]

Lateral view of a female Crimson Finch prying loose seeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Smithfield, QLD, December 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a female Crimson Finch feasting on seeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cattana Wetlands, Smithfield, QLD, December 2018]

Female Crimson Finch having a drink from a man-made waterhole (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Lee Point, Darwin, NT, July 2019]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

crimfin_20140817.m4a	phaeton (Top End, NT)	Contact calls	© MD
crimfin_me_20260621.m4a	phaeton (W NT)	Contact calls	© ME
crimfin_20140817_2.m4a	phaeton (Top End, NT)	Warning calls	© MD
crimfin_pb_20180619_2.m4a	phaeton (Top End, NT)	Warning calls (mob)	© PB
crimfin_pb_20180619_5.m4a	phaeton (Top End, NT)	Alarm calls (human)	© PB

More Crimson Finch sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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