Neochmia temporalis

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Family

Passeridae

Genus

Neochmia

Species

temporalis

Common Names

Red-browed Finch, Red-browed Firetail

Distinguishing Features

This tiny bird of 11-12cm is very noticeable due to the bright red colour of the beak, brow and rump. Its other plumage is olive green, with grey underparts. Young birds ashy-brown coloured and lack the red beak and broare.

Survey Techniques

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

Species Call

The Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis ) is a similar size and also has olive green plumage, however it lacks the red markings, and has a destinctive white ring around the eye.

Similar Species

The Red-browed Finch is found across the eastern Australian mainland, mostly to the east of the Great Dividing Range. More locally, the species is regularly spotted on Mt. Ainslie, Mt. Taylor and breeds along the Murrumbidgee river corridor and in surrounding forested sites.

Distribution

Australia

Country of Origin

Call and visual identification.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

This species was recorded at CSIRO and the ANBG, with a few at Black Mountain Peninsula and Turner, and one at ANU.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

This is the most common finch in the Canberra region, however population numbers fluctuate greatly from year to year (COG).

LSCCES Population

The Red-browed Finch inhabits the thick, damp undergrowth of wet eucalypt forests and will move to grassy clearings to feed. It also lives in heath, coastal scrubland, mangroves and canefields.

Associated vegetation community

This species requires thick vegetation for shelter, especially in the summer breeding season. They prefer moist environments and survive better in areas with limited threats from feral or introduced species.

Limiting Resources

The breeding season runs over the warmer months from October to April. Breeding partners share the building of the fairly large, horizontal, untidy nest of grass stems lined with small feathers. The nest is placed in thick, often thorny vegetation, 1-3 m above the ground. Both parents incubate the 4-5 small white eggs for two weeks. The young then spend 24 days in the nest. A pair may have several broods in a season.

Behaviour

These birds are highly sociable, foraging on the ground in close-knit flocks. This species moves into the forest areas surrounding Canberra in the summer for breeding.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

These finches forage on the ground for insects and seeds. They can also be seen feeding while perched on seed heads. Sometimes they will feed in the canopy of Allocasuarina.

Predators

Cats (Felis catus), both domestic and feral may hunt this species.

Interesting Fact

This is the only finch species known to feed in tree canopies.