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Red-browed Finch

(Neochmia temporalis)
Alternative names: "Redhead", "Waxbill", "Sydney Waxbill", "Redbill", "Temporal Finch", "Red-browed Firetail"
Size: 11-12 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are two races of Red-browed Finches on the Australian continent. Nominate race "temporalis" is found from Kangaroo Island and Adelaide, SA, along the south coast through VIC, along the east coast through NSW and QLD, up to about Port Douglas. South of the tropic of Capricorn they are also found in the Great Dividing Range and in some parts also out into the plains beyond the ranges. For example, they are found in the Pilliga scrub and the Warrumbungle National Park, NSW. North of Port Douglas, all along the coastline of Cape York peninsula, to about Kowanyama, QLD, race "minor" is found.

Red-browed Finches are often found in dense underbrush of forests, regularly near more open areas, also near water. At least in rural areas also found in and around dense bushes in gardens and parks.

Sightings

Red-browed Finches ("temporalis") visited us infrequently where we lived until 2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, coming across the south-eastern range. We saw them only a few times in our garden; however, they are always present at our former neighbour's property.

Seen on the western fringes of Mt. Kaputar National Park, 30-40 km east of Narrabri, in September and November 2008. Found to be common in the hills of the Great Dividing Range in various locations in the years since.

Also sighted on a trip to the east of the Great Dividing Range, in the area from Dorrigo to Sawtell, NSW, and at Wingham, NSW, in September 2011.

Also spotted by C. Kellenberg at Inskip Point, QLD, in January 2009.

Photos