aussiebirder

Last week my post featured the amazing Zebra Finch, one of the most studied birds in the world, Finches are primarily small seed eaters (granivores), being mainly grass seeds. Though they do need some green grass or leaf to balance their diets. This special group of Finches is featured having a bright red tail which makes their tiny bodies visible in flight. They are some of our prettiest finches of which Australia has many species which inhabit many and various parts of our vast continent.

The Red-browed Finch

This finch is found primarily on the east coast of Australia and is the most frequently seen Finch to our Sydney wildlife reserves and National Parks. Click on images to enlarge them.

Like most Finch species it is found in small to large flocks, scouring the grass for seed. The flock offers safety from predation and company for lowering stress, relationship and breeding. Flock leaders are usually the intelligent birds who have experience which assists in the educating of the younger birds.

Part of the courtship display of the Red-browed Finch is to present the female with a stick of grass with seed intact and will bob about her. The male will then mount her if she permits remains and he will mate with grass in beak.

The Beautiful Firetail

This is my feature photo and like most of the Firetails has a striking and beautifully pattered plumage. Unlike the Red-browed Finch, the Beautiful Firetail is less common and found mainly in breeding pairs and small family groups. It is limited to a smaller area in coastal south eastern Victoria and SA but we occasionally see it during the cooler Winter months in our local National Parks. These photos were local ones.

We were very blessed to clip this parent feeding its two youngsters in our local National Park Note they even have their red tail as juveniles.

The Diamond Fire-tail

The Diamond Firetail is found mainly in a large part of both coastal and inland south eastern NSW, Victoria and parts of SA and southern Queensland. It gets its name from the white spots on the sides of its body.

The Red-eared Firetail

The Red-eared Firetail is also found in pairs and small family groups but only in a very small area of south western WA in the Margaret River area where we saw the following birds.

Here a small flock or family groups of Red-eared Firetails are feeding in a courtyard of a Margaret River home alongside the Western Rosella which is also endemic to this small area of south west WA.

Reflect on These Things is a very unique daily devotional inspired by Australia’s mazing birds. Soon to be published and available at a very reasonable price on a date to be announced. It is a faith building journey for those who want a deeper richer relationship with God as Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through guidance of the Holy Spirit. Even if you do not have a faith in God it will bless you as you learn more about our birds and a better way to live, as much of the material is helpful encouraging a healthy happy life.

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And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

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