Photo: Jim Bendon from Karratha, Australia / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Australian Zebra Finch
Taeniopygia castanotis
Australian Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia castanotis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
The Australian Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia castanotis) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 12 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Estrildidae Waxbills, Munias & Allies
- Genus Taeniopygia
- Species castanotis
Where it lives
Australia (except Cape York Pen., northeastern QLD and far southeastern)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 12 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Australian Zebra Finch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Australian Zebra Finch is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Australian Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia castanotis) belongs to the Estrildidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Australia (except Cape York Pen., ne QLD and far se).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 12 g, with a wing length of about 5.7 cm and a tail of around 3.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 6.3 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Australian Zebra Finch?
The Australian Zebra Finch is a very small bird that weighs around 12 g.
Where does the Australian Zebra Finch live?
The Australian Zebra Finch is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Australia (except Cape York Pen., ne QLD and far se), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Australian Zebra Finch belong to?
The Australian Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia castanotis) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Australian Zebra Finch eat?
The Australian Zebra Finch is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Australian Zebra Finch migrate?
The Australian Zebra Finch is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Australian Zebra Finch endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Australian Zebra Finch's range?
The Australian Zebra Finch has a mapped global range of about 6.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
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