Red-browed Firetail

About the Red-browed Firetail

The red-browed finch (Neochmia temporalis) is an estrildid finch native to the east coast of Australia. This species has established introduced populations near Perth and in the Darling Ranges, and is also feral in French Polynesia. It is commonly found in temperate forest and dry savannah habitats. It may also be found in dry forest and mangrove habitats in tropical regions.

The species is distinguished by the bright red stripe above the eye and bright red rump. The rest of the body is grey, with olive wing coverts and collar. Juveniles do not have red brow marks and lack olive colouration on the collar and wing coverts. The adults are 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) long.

The red-browed finch was first described by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801 under the binomial name Fringilla temporalis. It is one of four species in the genus Neochmia. Alternate names include red-browed firetail, Sydney waxbill and redbill.

The species was once allied to genus Emblema. There are three noted subspecies: the nominate species N. temporalis temporalis, in most of the east coast, and inland New South Wales and Victoria; N. temporalis minor, which is distinguished by a white breast... Wikipedia →