A small brownish bird with a bright yellow bill, black face, black flanks, and a distinctive black tail and white rump.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
At a glance
FamilyWaxbills and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatInhabits grasslands and grassy woodlands across northern Australia.
Best timeMost reliable in Northern Territory from June to September.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by James Lambert
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
9071approx records
3states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Juveniles similar but duller, with dark bill. Long tail but lacks the long streamers of similar Long-tailed Finch, with which Masked is sometimes found.
Behavior
Forages for grass seeds in pairs or flocks, gathering in large numbers at waterholes to drink, bathe, and preen.
Gallery
Regional timing
Northern Territory
Queensland
Western Australia
Commonly confused with
Crimson FinchNeochmia phaetonBirds in New Guinea and Cape York with white belly, those elsewhere in Australia with black. Female duller, with only red face. Juvenile mostly brownish with dark bill but note long tail. Star Finch has shorter tail, greener plumage.→Long-tailed FinchPoephila acuticaudaNote white rump in flight. Juveniles similar but duller, with dark bill. Compare with Masked Finch, which has black mask and lacks gray head.→