Neochmia | |
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![]() | |
Red-browed finch (Neochmia temporalis) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Estrildidae |
Genus: | Neochmia G.R. Gray, 1849 |
Type species | |
Fringilla phaeton | |
Species | |
N. temporalis |
Neochmia is a genus of estrildid finches found in Australasia. They are gregarious seed-eaters with short, thick, but pointed bills.
The genus Neochmia was introduced in 1849 by the English zoologist George Gray with Fringilla phaeton Hombron & Jacquinot, the crimson finch as the type species. [1] [2] The genus name is from Ancient Greek νεοχμια/neokhmia meaning "innovation" or "phenomenon". [3]
The genus contains two species: [4]
Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
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![]() | Red-browed finch | Neochmia temporalis | Northern Queensland, and south-east of Australia |
![]() | Crimson finch | Neochmia phaeton | Northern Australia with some residing in New Guinea |