One of the most widely studied birds in science; its song-learning and pair-bonding behaviour have been extensively researched.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyWaxbills and Allies
SizeTiny
RarityCommon
HabitatInhabits arid inland Australia, where often found in very large flocks.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from September to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
140644approx records
5states
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
Female smooth gray to buff on the chest and belly; juvenile similar but with a dark gray bill. Inhabits arid inland Australia, where often found in very large flocks.
Behavior
Adult male gray above, with barred grayish bib, rusty white-spotted flanks, and black-and-white tail pattern.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Western Australia
Northern Territory
New South Wales
South Australia
Victoria
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania