From Opus

Poephila cincta

Disambiguation: This is the species occurring in Australia. For the species Melanodera melanodera of South America, see White-bridled Finch

[edit] Identification

• Bluish-grey head
• Pale blue ear patch
• Black throat and upper breast
• Light brown flanks, belly and lower breast
• Beige back
• Black bar on rump
• Black patch between eye and bill
• Black bill
• Orange-red legs

Males may have a comparatively larger throat patch.

[edit] Distribution

Queensland to just into New South Wales in Australia.

[edit] Taxonomy

Two subspecies are recognized, cincta and atropygialis; the most significant variation is in the colour of the rump, white versus black.

[edit] Habitat

Grassy woodland dominated by eucalypts, paperbarks or acacias and savanna.

[edit] Behaviour

Nomadic.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes grass seeds, small insects, ants and spiders.

[edit] Breeding

Both sexes build the nest; 4-5 white eggs are laid and incubated by both parents for about 14 days starting from the fourth egg. The young usually fledge at around 21 days.

[edit] References

1. Feathered Flyer

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the ABID