One of the most common variety of birds in Australia, is the family known as Finches.
There are basically three sub-groups and in this segment a few members of each which can be found in our area, will be featured.
In the first group, actually known as Finches, one of the most prominent would be the Double-barred Finch.
These lovely little fellows have a white face surrounded by a black bar right around to under the head. The second bar goes right across the chest area on the white under-feathers.
Its back is brown with white dots all over its black wings.
The delightful little Red-browed Finch seems to be happy to live in company with Humans and large groups are common in some local areas.
The red brow refers to the red streak going from the beak, right above the eye to the back of the head.
Two other Finches that are common residents in our area are the Zebra Finch which has a bright red beak and red cheeks separated by a streak of white, and the Plum-headed Finch which is mainly brown on the upper feathers with brown streaks on the sides of the white under-feathers.
In the three membered group of Firetails, the only member that we have here is the Diamond Firetail. It tends to keep away from Human habitation preferring to keep to the bush areas. Its body colouring is similar to the Double-Barred Finch but it has a bright red beak and bright red rings round the eyes.
Of the four Mannikins, only two reside in Central Queensland. One is the Chestnut-Breasted Mannikin pictured here. The other, the Nutmeg Mannikin has a dark head, greenish wings and mottled under-feathers.
