Poephila personata
The Masked Finch (Poephila personata) is a small, striking estrildid finch endemic to northern Australia, instantly recognizable by its distinctive black 'mask' and bib against a pale fawn body. Measuring about 12-13 cm in length and weighing 13-15 grams, it features a white belly, black rump, and a conical, pinkish-orange bill that fades to yellow in some subspecies, complemented by red legs. This elegant passerine belongs to the family Estrildidae, closely related to other Australian grassf...
Primarily inhabits tropical savannas, open woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus and Melaleuca, and grasslands with scattered trees, often found in close proximity to permanent water sources. They are typically found in lowland areas, rarely exceeding 500 meters in elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of grass seeds, gleaned directly from the ground or stripped from seeding grass heads. They supplement this with small insects, particularly during the breeding season to provide protein for their young.
Masked Finches are diurnal and largely terrestrial, spending much of their day foraging on the ground in small, cohesive flocks of 10-30 individuals outside the breeding season, which can swell to larger congregations at waterholes. During courtship, the male performs a charming display, holding ...
The Masked Finch is endemic to northern Australia, with its primary distribution stretching across the Kimberley region of Western Australia, through the Top End of the Northern Territory, and into the north-western and north-central parts of Queensland. It is a resident species throughout this r...
Least Concern
- The 'mask' that gives this finch its name is a striking black patch covering its face and extending into a bib under its chin. - Unlike many finches, the Masked Finch often builds its neat, globular nest directly on the ground, cleverly concealed within dense grass tussocks. - They are highly d...