With a length of 160 mm and varying weights between genders (13.5 to 16.2 grams for males and 11.4 to 17.6 grams for females), the Long-tailed Finch boasts a noteworthy characteristic – an extra-long tail. This prominent tail distinguishes them as the largest finch species in Australia. Adorning their appearance is a striking roundish black bib on their throat and upper chest, accompanied by a lengthy pointed black tail. While their overall coloration leans towards brown, their head and nape exhibit soothing blue-grey hues, accentuated by narrow black lores and eye-rings. Their belly and flanks offer delicate shades of pale pinkish-grey, enhanced further by a contrasting black band across the rump, the rest of which is a pristine white.
In general, female Long-tailed Finches possess shorter wings and tails compared to their male counterparts.
Endemic to northern Australia, ranging from the Kimberley region to the Gulf of Carpentaria, these birds prefer habitats encompassing grasslands and grassy woodlands.
In their natural habitat, Long-tailed Finches display a preference for ripe and half-ripe seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants. During the breeding season, insects become a significant part of their diet, including winged flying termites.
Breeding for these finches occurs in natural tree hollows or shrubs, as well as tufts of grass. Their nests are meticulously crafted from grass, utilizing broader blades on the exterior and a finely woven cup from finer stems, seed heads, and woolly plant fibers on the interior. These nests can be built high in trees, sometimes reaching heights of up to 18 meters above ground level. The parents take turns incubating up to six dull white oval eggs for a period of about 17 days. In some cases, older broods have been observed assisting their parents in raising subsequent broods, showcasing their cooperative and familial behaviors.
The Long-tailed Finch embodies a rare combination of delicate aesthetics and remarkable adaptations, making it a truly enchanting addition to Australia’s avian diversity.
