Long-tailed Finch

1. Long, pointed black tail

2. Black bib on the throat and upper chest

3. Bill colour varies by regionyellow in the west, red in the east

Long-tailed Finches are social birds, usually seen in pairs or small flocks. They forage on the ground or directly from grass seed heads, and their diet consists mainly of native grass seeds, with insects added during the breeding season. Breeding occurs mainly in the wet season. They build dome-shaped nests from grass, often in trees or shrubs, and both parents share incubation and feeding duties. Clutch size is typically 4–6 eggs, and there are occasional reports of older offspring helping to raise new broods, a rare example of cooperative breeding among Australian finches

Long-tailed Finches are found in open grassy woodlands and savannas across northern Australia, from the Kimberley region in Western Australia through the Top End of the Northern Territory to northwest Queensland. They are often seen near water sources such as creeks and rivers lined with eucalypts or pandanus. These finches are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, often gathering in flocks near water, especially during the dry season

The Long-tailed Finch was first described by John Gould in 1840\. Its scientific name refers to its sharp-pointed tail.