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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Estrildidae
  4. ›
  5. Emblema
  6. ›
  7. Painted Finch

BirdUp · Species

Painted Finch

Emblema pictumGould, 1842

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Estrildidae
Genus
Emblema

At a glance

The Painted Finch is a tiny bird, about 10–12 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
10–12 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Painted Finch look like?

The Painted Finch is a tiny bird, about 10–12 cm long and weighing 11–13 g.

The painted finch 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'. 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.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
10–12 cm
Weight
10.5–13 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Painted Finch?

The Painted Finch is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Painted Finch eat?

The Painted Finch feeds on seeds, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Painted Finch live in Australia?

The Painted Finch is endemic to Australia, recorded across 38 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNorth and central WA to west QLD and north-east SA (north-west and north-central Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Non-breeding
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded