From Opus

Taeniopygia guttata

Includes Chestnut-eared Finch (Taeniopygia castanotis)

Photo of a male bird of subspecies castanotis by Neil Fifer
Photo taken: Capertee, Australia.

Photo of subspecies guttata by odewe
Location: Sumba Island, Indonesia

[edit] Identification

Zebra Finches are mainly grey, with black eye stripes,like a "tear drop. The black and white rump and upper tail is 'zebra-like'. The throat and upper breast are pale grey, with fine black lines and there is a broad black band on upper chest. The sides are chestnut with white spots. The undertail & belly are white. The male differs from the female by its chestnut cheek patches, hence the alternative name, Chestnut-eared Finch. They have red eyes and bill, the legs and feet are orange-yellow.

Young are similar in plumage to the female, except that the clear black and white markings of the head are absent. The eyes are grey-brown and the bill is black.

[edit] Distribution

Drier areas of Australia, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and introduced to Puerto Rico, Portugal and the U.S.

[edit] Taxonomy

Subspecies guttata is found in Lesser Sunda Islands, while the larger subspecies castanotis is found in mainland Australia. The latter subspecies is often considered a full species under the name of Chestnut-eared Finch (Taeniopygia castanotis).

[edit] Habitat

Open steppes with scattered bushes and trees.

Zebra Finches usually found in the drier areas of Australia, with social flocks of up to 100 birds. Habitats are usually dry wooded grasslands, bordering watercourses.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes mainly seeds, but they also eat fruit. They feed in large flocks. Insects may be taken at any time of the year, but are particularly favoured when feeding young. Feeding takes place on the ground.

They nest in cavities, scrub, low trees, bushes, on the ground, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, nests of other birds, and in the cracks, crevices, and ledges of human structures. Outside of the breeding time, brood nests are constructed for sleeping in. Zebra Finches pair for life. The female selects the nest site, but both birds care for the eggs and young. The male gathers almost all the nesting material, The females construct the nests, which has a loose dome-shape.

[edit] References

The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds

Birds in Backyards - A product of Birds Australia

[edit] External Links

Birds in Backyards - http://birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=30

• View more images of this species on the ABID