Painted finch

Last updated

Painted finch
Emblema pictum -Karratha, Pilbara, Western Australia, Australia-8.jpg
Male in Western Australia
Painted Finch at Trephina Gorge Nature Park Northern Territory Australia.jpg
Female at Trephina Gorge Nature Park, Northern Territory
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Genus: Emblema
Gould, 1842
Species:
E. pictum
Binomial name
Emblema pictum
Gould, 1842
Painted finch distribution.jpg
Painted finch distribution

The painted finch (Emblema pictum) is a common species of estrildid finch found in Australia. The painted finch acquired its name due to the red and white spotted and mottled underparts of both males and females. The binomial comes from emblema meaning 'mosaic or inlaid work'; and pictum derives from the Latin word pictus, meaning 'painted' (from pingere, 'to paint'). [2] Other names include Emblema finch, mountain finch, painted firetail and Emblema. The painted finch is a popular bird to be kept in captivity and in backyard aviaries. [3] [4]

Contents

Taxonomy

The painted finch is within the genus Emblema which early studies placed four species inside of. [5] [6] More recent research has since determined that this genus did not form a natural assemblage and three of the four species were segregated into the genus Stagonopleura . The species include S. bella (Beautiful firetail), S. oculata (Red-eared firetail) and S. guttata (Diamond firetail). This species, Emblema pictum, is currently the only one allied to the genus. [7] [8]

The painted finch belongs to the family Estrildidae which consists of small passerine birds that occur naturally in the old world including Africa, southern Asia and Australasia. There are approximately 124 species of estrildid finches within 30 different genera. [9] [7] There has been two major radiations within this family, one occurring in Africa and one in Australia. The family Estrildidae is believed to have originated in India which then later dispersed to these two continents. [9] [7]

Description

The painted finch is a small passerine that is 10–12 cm in length and weighs around 11.5 g. Male painted finches have a red forehead and face that stand out in contrast to the black breast of individuals. A bright red patch in the middle of the breast is present, while the sides of the breast, belly and flanks are black with white spots. The tail and upper body and upper wing are a reddish-brown colour. The rump and uppertail coverts are also mostly red and highly conspicuous when the birds is in flight. Painted finches have a long, slender and pointed bill which in the male the upper mandible is mostly black with a red tip and the lower mandible is mostly red with light blue-grey patches on either side of the base. The Iris of males is a cream or off-white colour and the legs of males vary between a dark brown to pinkish colour. [10] [11]

Females look similar to males, although the red colouration on the face is duller and is restricted to the lores, cheeks and around the eyes. The red patch present on the breast is also duller when compared to the males as are the underparts that are generally a duller brownish-black. The underparts on females though are more spotted. The bill of females is quite similar to males but usually with less red on upper mandible. The iris is also a cream or off-white colour and legs once again vary between dark brown to a pinkish colour. [10] [11]

Juvenile painted finches are similar in appearance to females but their underparts are duller and browner. Juveniles lack the red colouration on their face and their bill is black which becomes paler and almost pinkish on the lower part. Juvenile's eyes are a grey-brown. [10] [11]

Ecology

Behaviour

Painted finches usually occur in pairs and small flocks; however, larger flocks of up to 100 individuals have been seen when congregating around water sources. These large flocks may contain other species of finches and honeyeaters. [10] [11] [12] [13] Painted finches are generally less vocal than other Australian grassfinches; however, its calls are among the loudest and harshest of this species group. [4] Its contact calls have been described as sounding like trut, chek-chek or ced up, cheddy-up. When alone, males often make a loud wheezing and chattering song, females make a rattling call in response to danger near the nest. [4] [10] [11]

Diet

The painted finch feeds on grass seeds mostly from spinifex (Triodia) species and sometimes may consume fruit and blades of grass. Individuals forage on the ground, hopping and bouncing among rocks and tussocks of grass in order to glean for fallen seeds. [3] [4] Captive birds have seen to sally-strike flying termites and glean aphids from vegetation; however, feeding on insects in the wild has not been observed. [4]

Reproduction

If conditions are suitable painted finches breed at almost any time of year with eggs being recorded in all months except November and December, and nestlings being recorded between March and October. [3] [4] [14] [15] Courtship usually occurs on the ground and involves both sexes picking up twigs or other items and dropping them. A greeting display may replace this which involves the male singing to the female in a vertical posture, raising its body feathers and pivoting its head from side to side. [4] [10] [11]

Painted finches are monogamous and nest in simple pairs. [16] Nesting sites are usually well concealed clumps of spinifex grass, however pairs have been seen to nest in natural cavities near the top of a clump or on the ground at the base. Nesting sites may occasionally also include other species of tussock grasses or in low shrubs. [3] [15] [16] Individuals build loose, bottle shaped or domed nests with a wide entrance and usually consists of stems of spinifex but may also contain other grass stems, twigs or rootlets. The nest is often lined with feathers, plant down, hairy seeds, grass, wool, fur or balls of fluff. [10] [15] [16] The opening of the nest is often decorated with a piece of charcoal. [11]

Females will lay a clutch size of 3 to 5 oval white eggs. Eggs sometimes have a bluey tinge and are incubated for around 13–14 days by both the male and female. [3] [4] [10] [11] Young are altricial and do not leave the nest until they are around 21–26 days old. [10] [11] [17] Young are fed for around two more weeks and they begin to develop courtship behaviour at 10 weeks old. [10]

Habitat and distribution

The painted finch is found in arid and semi-arid zones, in rocky areas with a ground cover of spinifex grass. [10] [11] [14] The painted finch can be found in Western Australia, Northern Australia, Queensland and South Australia [14] [15] [18] In 2007 and 2008 large influxes of painted finches entered into western New South Wales. These individuals have since been recorded breeding and a resident population is now thought to have been established. [19]

Conservation status

On the IUCN Red list the painted finch is listed as being of "Least Concern", [1] and this is also its listing in Queensland under the Nature Conservation Act of 1992. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estrildidae</span> Family of birds

Estrildidae, or estrildid finches, is a family of small seed-eating passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They comprise species commonly known as munias, mannikins, firefinches, parrotfinches and waxbills. Despite the word "finch" being included in the common names of some species, they are not closely related to birds with this name in other families, such as the Fringillidae, Emberizidae or Passerellidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masked finch</span> Species of bird

The masked finch is a small passerine bird in the estrildid finch family, Estrildidae. It is a common resident of dry savannah across northern Australia, from the Kimberley, across the Top End, the Gulf country and the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, as far east as Chillagoe, but always near water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronze mannikin</span> Species of bird

The bronze mannikin or bronze munia is a small passerine bird of the Afrotropics. This very social estrildid finch is an uncommon to locally abundant bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert, where it is resident, nomadic or irruptive in mesic savanna or forest margin habitats. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 8,100,000 km2. It is the smallest and most widespread of four munia species on the African mainland, the other being black-and-white, red-backed and magpie mannikin. It co-occurs with the Madagascar mannikin on the Comoro Islands, and was introduced to Puerto Rico. Especially in the West Africa, it is considered a pest in grain and rice fields. It is locally trapped for the pet bird trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-throated munia</span> Species of bird

The black-throated munia or Jerdon's mannikin is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in the hills of southwest India, the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-cheeked cordon-bleu</span> Species of bird

The red-cheeked cordon-bleu or red-cheeked cordonbleu is a small passerine bird in the family Estrildidae. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in drier regions of tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. Red-cheeked cordon-bleu has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 7,700,000 km2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Double-barred finch</span> Species of bird

The double-barred finch is an estrildid finch found in dry savannah, tropical (lowland) dry grassland and shrubland habitats in northern and eastern Australia. It is sometimes referred to as Bicheno's finch or as the owl finch, the latter of which owing to the dark ring of feathers around the face. It is the only species placed in the genus Stizoptera .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gouldian finch</span> Passerine bird native to Australia

The Gouldian finch, also known as the Gould's finch or the rainbow finch, is a colourful passerine bird that is native to Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimson-collared grosbeak</span> Species of bird

The crimson-collared grosbeak is a medium-size seed- and leaf-eating bird in the same family as the northern cardinal, Cardinalidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-browed finch</span> Species of bird

The red-browed finch is an estrildid finch that inhabits the east coast of Australia. This species has also been introduced to 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-eared firetail</span> Species of bird

The red-eared firetail, also known as the boorin, is a small finch-like species of bird. It occurs in dense wetland vegetation of coastal to sub-coastal regions in Southwest Australia. Its appearance is considered appealing, with white spots, black barring and vivid crimson marks at the ear and upper tail. Red-eared firetails are usually only glimpsed briefly, if at all, as they move rapidly and discreetly through their habitat. Most observations occur when their soft voice is heard, or in flight when flushed from the dense scrub. Males and females are similar in colouring and bond as lifelong pairs that occupy a territory centred on their roosting and brooding nest site. The species occupies a similar ecological niche to the beautiful firetail found in the east of Australia, although unlike other species of the genus they only occasionally group together and are almost never seen in large flocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond firetail</span> Species of estrildid finch

The diamond firetail is a species of estrildid finch that is endemic to Australia. It has a patchy distribution and generally occupies drier forests and grassy woodlands west of the Great Dividing Range from South East Queensland to the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. While it is a small stocky bird it is one of the largest finches in Australia. The birds are very distinctive with a black breast-band on a white breast. The flanks are black with white spots and it has a scarlet rump and a black tail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimson finch</span> Species of bird

The crimson finch is a species of bird in the family Estrildidae. It is found throughout Northern Australia as well as parts of southern New Guinea. Crimson finches feature a distinctively bright crimson coat and are known for their aggression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-tailed finch</span> Species of bird

The long-tailed finch is a common species of estrildid finch found in northern Australia, from the Kimberley region to the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is a predominantly fawn-coloured bird with a pale grey head and prominent black bib and eyes. It inhabits dry savannah habitats in Australia and adapts readily to aviculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiji parrotfinch</span> Species of bird in the family Estreldidae

The Fiji parrotfinch is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Fiji that was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the red-headed parrotfinch. This parrotfinch is a small, mainly green bird with a red head and tail and a stubby dark grey bill. It is found in both forested and open habitats, and has adapted well to man-made environments such as grasslands, pasture and gardens. Pairs have a courtship display in which they fly above the trees in an undulating flight, calling constantly. Breeding birds build a domed grass nest with a side entrance, and lay a clutch normally of four white eggs. Newly hatched chicks are naked and pink, with blue balls at the upper and lower corners of the gape, and black markings inside the mouth; older fledglings resemble the adults, but lack the red head colouring. The Fiji parrotfinch eats seeds, especially of grasses, and also readily feeds on insects and nectar. It forms small flocks of up to six birds after the breeding season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuckoo-finch</span> Species of bird

The cuckoo-finch, also known as the parasitic weaver or cuckoo weaver, is a small passerine bird now placed in the family Viduidae with the indigobirds and whydahs. It occurs in grassland in Africa south of the Sahara. The male is mainly yellow and green while the female is buff with dark streaks. They lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimsonwing</span> Genus of birds

The crimsonwings (Cryptospiza) are a genus of small passerine birds belonging to the estrildid finch family (Estrildidae). There are four species. They are found in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Albertine Rift; all four species occur there and two, Shelley's and dusky crimsonwings, are found nowhere else. They are secretive birds which mainly inhabit mountain forests with dense undergrowth. They usually forage on or near the ground, feeding mainly on seeds such as those of grasses and balsam.

<i>Nigrita</i> (bird) Genus of birds

The nigritas, formerly called negrofinches, are small passerine birds belonging to the genus Nigrita in the estrildid finch family Estrildidae. There are four species which occur in forest, secondary growth and scrubland in West, Central and East Africa.

<i>Poephila</i> Genus of birds

Poephila is an Australian genus of estrildid finches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad firefinch</span> Species of bird

The Chad firefinch or Reichenow's firefinch is a small passerine bird belonging to the firefinch genus Lagonosticta in the estrildid finch family Estrildidae. It is restricted to a small area of Central Africa. It was formerly classified as a subspecies of Jameson's firefinch but is now often treated as a separate species. Its alternative name commemorates Anton Reichenow, the German ornithologist who described this species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African quailfinch</span> Species of bird

The African quailfinch, spectacled quailfinch, or white-chinned quailfinch, is a common species of estrildid finch found in eastern and southern Africa. Some taxonomists consider it to be conspecific with the black-faced quailfinch and the black-chinned quailfinch, others consider all three species to be conspecific.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2016). "Emblema pictum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22719650A94636952. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22719650A94636952.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Gould, John (1842). The birds of Australia Part 7. London: The Author.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Immelmann, Klaus; Cayley, Neville W. (illustrator) (1985). Australian finches in bush and aviary (Fully rev. ed.). London: Angus & Robertson Publishers. ISBN   0207141657.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Immelmann, K (1963). "Drought adaptations in Australian desert birds". Proceedings of the International Ornithological Congress. 13: 649–657.
  5. ↑ Harrison, C.J.O. (1963). "The taxonomic position of the Crimson Finch and the Red-browed Finch". Emu. 63 (1): 48–56. doi:10.1071/MU963048.
  6. ↑ Immelmann, K (1965). "Contributions to a comparative biology of Australian finches". Zoologische Jahrbücher Systematik. 90: 1–196.
  7. 1 2 3 Christidis, L (1987). "Phylogeny and Systematics of Estrildine Finches and Their Relationships to Other Seed-eating Passerines". Emu. 87 (2): 119–123. doi:10.1071/MU9870119.
  8. ↑ Christidis, L. (November 1986). "Chromosomal evolution within the family Estrildidae (Aves) I. The Poephilae". Genetica. 71 (2): 81–97. doi:10.1007/BF00058691. S2CID   33942111.
  9. 1 2 Goodwin, Derek (1982). Estrildid finches of the world. London: British Museum Natural History. ISBN   9780565008321.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 del Hoyo, J; Elliott, A; Christie, D. A (2010). Handbook of the birds of the world. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN   978-84-96553-68-2.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Forshaw, J; Shephard, M; Pridham, A (2012). Grassfinches in Australia. Collingwood, Australia: CSIRO. ISBN   9780643096349.
  12. ↑ Carter, T (1902). "Exploration of the North West cape". Emu. 2 (2): 77–84. doi:10.1080/01584197.1902.11791887.
  13. ↑ Mules, M. W. (1932). "Notes on some birds in the vicinity of Coniston Station, Central Australia" (PDF). South Australian Ornithologist. 11: 212–221.
  14. 1 2 3 Johnstone, R.E.; Burbidge, Allan H.; Stone, P. (2000). "Birds of the southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia: distribution, status and historical changes". Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement. 60 (1): 371. doi: 10.18195/issn.0313-122x.61.2000.371-448 .
  15. 1 2 3 4 Kovac, N. J.; Niejalke, D. P. (2004). "Observation and breeding records of the painted finch Emblema pictum associated with artesian springs in South Australia". South Australian Ornithologist. 34: 181–182.
  16. 1 2 3 Hornsby, P (1987). "Nest building by the painted firetail in the north Flinders Ranges of South Australia" (PDF). South Australian Ornithologist. 30: 83.
  17. ↑ Mobbs, A. J. (1990). The complete book of Australian finches. Neptune City, N.J.: T.F.H. ISBN   9780793802951.
  18. ↑ Holmes, G; Noske, R. A. (1990). "New locality records of birds in Arnhem Land and southern Gulf of Carpentaria". Northern Territory Naturalist. 12: 13–19.
  19. ↑ McAllan, I. A. W.; Knight, B. J.; O'Brien, R. M.; Parker, D. G.; Ingwersen, D. A. (2010). "The painted finch in New South Wales". Australian Field Ornithology. 27 (1): 10–18.
  20. ↑ "Species profile—Emblema pictum (painted finch)". Species information. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.