Neochmia temporalis
The Red-browed Finch, Neochmia temporalis, is a charming and distinctive small finch native to eastern Australia, immediately identifiable by its striking crimson supercilium, or 'brow'. Measuring approximately 11-12 cm in length and weighing a mere 8-15 grams, this species exhibits a primarily olive-green back and wings, a soft grey head, a bright white throat and belly, and a vibrant crimson rump. Its short, stout, dark bill is well-suited for its granivorous diet. As a member of the Estril...
This adaptable finch inhabits a variety of environments including open eucalypt woodlands, rainforest edges, coastal heaths, scrublands, and suburban gardens, preferring areas with dense undergrowth for cover and proximity to water sources. They are typically found from sea level up to moderate e...
Their diet consists predominantly of small grass seeds, particularly those of native grasses like kangaroo grass and introduced species, supplemented with small insects, especially during the breeding season. They forage by gleaning seeds from seed heads and the ground.
Red-browed Finches are diurnal and highly social, often seen foraging in small, cohesive flocks of 10-20 individuals, though larger congregations can form at abundant food sources or waterholes. They primarily forage on the ground or clamber through grass and low shrubs, gleaning seeds directly f...
The Red-browed Finch is a resident species found widely across eastern and southeastern Australia, with its distribution extending from the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, south along the Great Dividing Range and coastal areas through New South Wales and Victoria, to the Eyre Peninsul...
Least Concern
- The Red-browed Finch is affectionately known as 'Redhead' in some local Australian dialects, highlighting its most prominent feature. - It is one of the most commonly observed finches in eastern Australian gardens, having adapted remarkably well to urbanisation. - These finches often build a do...