STAR FINCH

Photographed at Carnarvon, Western Australia April 2015

583         STAR FINCH          Neochmia ruficauda  

Australia        (426)

Also known as Red-tailed, Rufous-tailed and Red-faced Finch or Firetail. This is the sub-species subclarescens found from c. Shark Bay-Ashburton R. (WA), to w. Top End(NT), s. to Katherine; e. on Gulf Coast to s. York Pen. n. to C. Staaten R. Nominate race has beed decimated by trapping and decimation of habitat but was widespread from s. Cape York Pen., (Q) to inland ne NSW. 10-12 cm. Found near water; grassy flats with bushes, low trees; reeds, rushes,;irrigated crops, sugar cane. 

NOTE:        3 subspecies in Australia

subclarescens:        

ruficauda:           

clarescens: