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Diamond FiretailAlternative names: "Firetail Finch", "Beautiful Firetail Finch" Size: 12-13 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
The range of Diamond Firetails extends from the south-eastern corner of Australia, i.e. Eyre peninsula in SA, and all of VIC, throughout eastern and central NSW (as far west as about Wilcannia), into southern and central QLD, with an eastern boundary close to the georaphical longitude of Cairns, QLD. The northern boundary of their range is Undura Volcanic National Park, QLD. They are not found along the coastline of QLD, down to about the Manning River in NSW, and in two small coastal areas to the east and west of Melbourne, VIC.
Diamond Firetails can be found in various types of forest and woodland, also in heath.
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Sightings |
Rare guests at the house were we lived until 2006, we have found that Diamond Firetails were permanent residents in a patch of bushland elsewhere on the property, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW.
Also permanent residents on a property in bushland 20 km north of Coonabarabran, NSW.
Spotted by us in January/February 2008 in Deriah Forest and Upper Bullawa Creek, both about 30 km east of Narrabri. There they are also permanent residents; seen also during the winter of 2008.
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Photos |
Frontal view of a Diamond Firetail hiding in the shade
of a tree
More distant view in better light conditions
Diamond Firetail, now from the side
Rear view of a Diamond Firetail, making it clear how it received its name
Diamond Firetail collecting nesting material
The dark bill and the inconspicuous colour pattern indicate that the bird shown here is a very young Diamond Firetail
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Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Oct - Jan | Eggs: 4 - 6 | Incubation period: 14 - 15 days | Fledging age: 23 days |
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Nest |
| Type: Bottle-shaped dome | Material: Grass with feather lining | Height above ground <10 m |
Mistletoe with a Diamond Firetail's nest at its base, about 15 m
above ground, high up in a eucalypt tree
Note that it is unusual for a small bird, such as a finch, to have its nest that high. Usually small birds tend to nest in dense, inaccessible areas closer to the ground - even the 10 m listed in the table above are very high for a bird the size of a finch.
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Eggs |
| Size: 18 x 13 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Dispersive/sedentary | Elementary unit: Small fLock |
All species of finches known to us are highly sociable.
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Food |
Like all other finches known to us, Diamond Firetails feed on seeds.












