Red-browed Finch
Neochmia temporalis
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Red-browed Finch is a small, sleek bird with distinctive olive-green upperparts and pale grey underparts. Its most striking feature is the bright red eyebrow stripe, which contrasts sharply with its grey face and throat.
Both sexes look similar, with juveniles showing duller plumage and a black beak that turns red as they mature. The tail is long and pointed, often appearing darker than the body.
Size
Length
11cm to 12cm
Wingspan
15cm to 18cm
Weight
9g to 14g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Olive Red
Secondary Colour
Grey Brown
Beak Colour
Red
Leg Colour
Brown Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Red-browed Finches are native to eastern and southern Australia, ranging from northern Queensland to South Australia. They inhabit a variety of environments, including open woodlands, forest edges, and grassy areas near water.
In recent years, they have adapted well to urban and suburban areas, becoming common in parks and gardens with native vegetation. Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, with no significant seasonal movements.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-browed Finch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Red-browed Finch displays considerable agility, as evidenced by its quick, bouncing movements through low vegetation and its ability to forage both on the ground and directly from seed heads. Their flitting behaviour and short, fluttering display flights also suggest a high degree of manoeuvrability.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small finch weighing only 9-14 grams, the Red-browed Finch has limited strength relative to larger birds. However, they possess enough strength to build large, domed nests and to crack open seeds, which form the bulk of their diet.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These finches demonstrate impressive adaptability, having successfully colonised urban and suburban areas in addition to their natural habitats. Their ability to thrive in various environments from sea level to 1000 metres elevation, and their year-round breeding capability when conditions are favourable, further highlight their adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Red-browed Finches are generally not aggressive birds, being highly social and often seen in flocks. However, they do exhibit some territorial behaviour during breeding season, which suggests a moderate level of assertiveness when necessary.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
While specific data on their endurance is limited, Red-browed Finches show good endurance in their daily activities. They engage in constant foraging, can breed year-round in favourable conditions, and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties, all of which require sustained energy levels.
Diet
Red-browed Finches primarily feed on grass seeds, which they gather both on the ground and directly from seed heads. They supplement their diet with small insects, especially during breeding season.
These finches are often seen foraging in mixed flocks with other small seed-eating birds.
Behaviour
Red-browed Finches are highly social, often seen in small flocks of 10-20 birds. They hop and flit through grass and low shrubs while foraging, maintaining contact with soft, high-pitched calls.
During the breeding season, pairs become more territorial, with males performing short, fluttering display flights to attract mates.
Vocalisation
Red-browed Finches have a variety of soft, high-pitched calls. Their most common vocalisation is a sharp, metallic 'seeep' used as a contact call within flocks.
During courtship, males produce a quiet, warbling song that sounds like 'swee-swee-swee-swit-swit', often accompanied by a grass stem in their beak.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs mainly from October to April, with pairs forming strong, monogamous bonds. Males court females with soft songs and short display flights, often carrying grass stems in their beaks.
Nests are large, domed structures made of grass and lined with feathers, typically placed in dense shrubs or low trees. Females lay 4-6 white eggs per clutch.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 12 days. Chicks fledge after 21-25 days but continue to be fed by parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Red-browed Finch is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural expansion.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving native grasslands and woodland edges, which are crucial for their survival.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
Not quantified, but common across range
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for small flocks in grassy areas near water sources
- Listen for their distinctive 'seeep' contact calls
- Observe their quick, bouncing movements through low vegetation
- In Australia, check parks and gardens with native plantings
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Red-browed Firetail
Family:
EstrildidaeAverage Lifespan
5 to 7 years
Max Lifespan
23.4 years [3]
Predators
Main predators include domestic and feral cats, birds of prey such as Sparrowhawks and Goshawks, and larger passerines like butcherbirds and currawongs.
Did You Know?
- Red-browed Finches can breed year-round if conditions are favourable.
- They often bathe in shallow water, splashing vigorously to clean their feathers.
- These finches have been successfully introduced to parts of French Polynesia.
References
- 3
website: ABBBS - Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme
View source - 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Neochmia temporalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22719666A132130886.
View source
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