Australian Zebra Finch

1. Black "tear drop" eye stripe and orange-red bill on both sexes

2. Males have chestnut-orange cheek patches and spotted flanks; females have grey faces and lack these markings

3. Black and white barring on the rump and tail, visible in flight

Zebra Finches are highly social and feed mainly on fallen or ripening grass seeds, foraging on the ground. They form lifelong pair bonds, with males collecting nesting material and females building dome-shaped nests in shrubs or small trees. Breeding usually occurs from October to April, but can happen at any time following rainfall that promotes grass growth. Zebra Finches are among the fastest maturing birds, with young able to breed at around 7–8 days old. They require daily access to water and typically visit water sources in the morning and evening

Zebra Finches are found across most of mainland Australia, except for Cape York Peninsula and some coastal regions. They are most abundant in arid and semi-arid areas, gathering in flocks around water sources such as waterholes, dams, and stock troughs. They inhabit dry woodlands, grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs, and areas near watercourses. Their loud nasal "tiah" call is often heard as flocks move between feeding and drinking sites

The Zebra Finch, known as "nyii-nyii" in the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages, is an important bird in the Tjukurpa (Dreaming) traditions and ceremonies of the Aṉangu people from Central Australia. Its scientific name, Taeniopygia guttata, refers to the bird’s distinctive striped and spotted markings. Around the world, the Zebra Finch is widely used in scientific research, especially for studies on behaviour, development, and neuroscience.