Poephila acuticauda
The Long-tailed Finch is a small, elegant bird with a distinctive long, pointed tail. Its body is predominantly pale pinkish grey-brown, with a white rump and underparts. The face features a striking black 'bib' extending from the beak to the chest.
Both sexes look mostly similar, with either a yellow or orange beak, orange legs, and a black tail. Females may sometimes be duller overall with smaller bibs, and have shorter wings and tails.
Juveniles have duller plumage and lack the black bib, which develops as they mature. The varying bill colour distinguishes the subspecies, with the western group having yellow beaks and the eastern having red.
Length
15cm to 17cm
Wingspan
18cm to 20cm
Weight
12g to 17g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey White
Secondary Colour
Black Brown
Beak Colour
Yellow Orange
Leg Colour
Orange
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Long-tailed Finches are native to northern Australia, inhabiting tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannahs, and open woodlands. They are particularly common in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
These finches prefer areas with a mix of grasses and scattered trees, often near water sources. Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, with no significant seasonal movements.
Up to 1,000 meters
Tropical, Subtropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Long-tailed Finch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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