Double-barred Finch

Overview

The double-barred finch (Stizoptera bichenovii) is an estrildid finch found in northern and eastern Australia. It is the only species placed in the genus Stizoptera and is sometimes known as Bicheno's finch or the owl finch.

Identification

• A 10–11 cm munia-like bird with a white face bordered in black.
• Brown upperparts and throat contrast with white underparts, separated by a distinct black line.
• Wings are patterned in brown and white, while the rump is white in the nominate subspecies but black in S. b. annulosa.
• The call consists of a soft 'tet' or a louder 'peew', and the song is a soft fluting similar to that of the zebra finch.

Habitat

This species inhabits dry savannah, tropical lowland dry grassland, and shrubland in northern and eastern Australia. Its range includes north Western Australia and the Northern Territory for one subspecies, and north Queensland to southeast New South Wales for the other.

Diet

The double-barred finch is granivorous and highly gregarious. Nests are constructed in grass, bushes, or low trees, where four to six eggs are laid per clutch.

Did you know?

The species is colloquially called the 'owl finch' because of the dark ring of feathers surrounding its face.