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24

Star Finch

(Neochmia ruficauda)
Alternate name(s): "Red-faced Finch", "Red-tailed Finch"
Size: 10-12 cm
Weight: 10-12 g

Similar
species

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

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Star Finch at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

Race "clarescens"

ADULT

MALE

Lateral view of a male Star Finch - note the bright colours and the extended facial mask
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP, QLD, September 2020]

FEMALE

Lateral view of 5 Star Finches - possibly a family; male at the centre, female to his right, plus 3 immature birds whose bills are turning orange (the bills of juveniles would be dark) (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP, QLD, September 2020]

FEMALE

Lateral view of a flock of Star Finches, with males, females, immature and juvenile birds, the latter with dark bills; a few Peaceful Doves provide a size comparison (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP, QLD, September 2020]

Race "subclarescens"

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male Star Finch - note the bright colours and the extended facial mask (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

Near-frontal view of a male Star Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

Near-lateral view of a male Star Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

FEMALE

Near-lateral view of a female Star Finch shaking out its plumage after a bath (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

Lateral view of a female Star Finch; note the small red facial mask and the absence of white spots on the crown
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Victoria River, Judburra (Gregory) NP, near Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]

Lateral view of a female Star Finch; note the small red facial mask and the absence of white spots on the crown
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Victoria River, Judburra (Gregory) NP, near Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]

PAIR

Near-lateral view of a three Star Finches - males left and centre, female on the right (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

Family clan of Star Finches (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Timber Creek airport, Timber Creek, NT, November 2018]

Sex unknown

Frontal view from above onto a Star Finch, right, drinking water together with a Long-tailed Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Star Finch, with an adult behind (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Star Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Katherine, NT, July 2020]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Star Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Katherine, NT, July 2020]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Star Finch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Katherine, NT, July 2020]

Food, Diet

Star Finches are seed eaters.

Family of Star Finches at a waterhole, together with juvenile Yellow-rumped Mannikins
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

3 species of finches drinking together: Juvenile Yellow-rumped Mannikins, Star Finches and a Long-tailed Finch
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

3 species of finches drinking together: Juvenile Yellow-rumped Mannikins, Star Finches and a Long-tailed Finch
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[100 km W of Timber Creek, NT, July 2020]

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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