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Red-eared FiretailAlternate name(s): "Red-eared Firetail Finch", "Red-eared Finch"; Misnomer: "Zebra Finch*" ![]() Size: 11-13 cm Weight: 12-15 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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MALE |
Frontal view of a male Red-eared Firetail; note the high
colour contrast in the facial mask
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]
Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Red-eared Firetail; note the
scarlet patches on the ear coverts (photo courtesy
of J. Greaves)
[Balingup, WA, May 2016]
Close-up near-lateral view of a male Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Moses Rock, WA, December 2016]
Close-up lateral view of a male Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Moses Rock, WA, December 2016]
Lateral view of a male Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]
Lateral view of a male Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Balingup, WA, May 2016]
Lateral view of a male Red-eared Firetail, now seen preening
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Balingup, WA, May 2016]
Near-dorsal view of a male Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Moses Rock, WA, December 2016]
Near-dorsal view of a male Red-eared Firetail, now seen preening
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Balingup, WA, May 2016]
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FEMALE |
Frontal portrait of a female Red-eared Firetail; note the
comparatively pale bill and patches on the ear coverts
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Moses Rock, WA, December 2016]
Frontal view of a female Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]
Near-lateral view of a female(?) Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Stirling Range NP, WA, August 2018]
Lateral view of a female(?) Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Stirling Range NP, WA, August 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a female Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]
Clan of Red-eared Firetails in a dead shrub; the bird on the
lower left is probably a female (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Moses Rock, WA, December 2016]
Sex unknown |
Dorsal view of a Red-eared Firetail
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Frontal view of a sub-adult Red-eared Firetail; note the
absence of the prominent frontal spots and red spot behind
the eye, while this bird does not have the brownish colours
and dark bill of a juvenile
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Cheynes Beach, Albany, WA, February 2018]
Lateral view of a juvenile Red-eared Firetail; note the still
dark bill and the absence of both facial markings and the red
spot behind the ear
(photo courtesy of J. Ovenden)
[Denmark, WA, December 2017]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Sep - Jan | Eggs: 4 - 6 | Incubation period: 12 - 14 days | Fledging age: 21 - 24 days |
Usually most of the breeding is done in October/November, but it is more extended if/when two broods are brought up.
Nest building: Male & female | Incubation: Female & male | Dependent care: Female & male |
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal] |
Type: Dome | Material: Root fibres, grass stems, twigs, webs | Height above ground: 2 - 15 m |
Red-eared Firetail near the entrance to its nest
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Balingup, WA, May 2016]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay] |
Size: 18 x 12 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Food, Diet |
Lateral view of a Red-eared Firetail peeling seeds
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]
Lateral view of a Red-eared Firetail peeling seeds
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]
Near-lateral view of a Red-eared Firetail on a water bowl
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Cheynes Beach, Albany, WA, June 2020]
Near-lateral view of a Red-eared Firetail scooping up water
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Cheynes Beach, Albany, WA, June 2020]