Distribution Map
Beautiful Firetail
Stagonopleura bella
EndemicStatus
RareRarity
Bird Gallery
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Species Description
The Beautiful Firetail is a small native Australian finch known for its deep red rump and fine dark barring on a white breast. Its compact, olive-brown body and tendency to move quickly through dense undergrowth often lead observers to mistake it for a small mammal. This species is most commonly found in southeastern Australia and Tasmania, where it is a familiar sight in coastal habitats.
Fun Facts
When moving through dense vegetation, Beautiful Firetails can be mistaken for small mammals due to the rustling sounds they make.
1. Bright red rump that stands out against the olive-brown body, especially visible in flight
2. Black facial mask with pale blue eye ring and red bill
3. White breast with fine dark barring
Beautiful Firetails primarily feed on grass seeds, as well as seeds from casuarinas and tea-trees, occasionally supplementing their diet with small insects and snails. During the breeding season, which runs from September to January, pairs construct complex bottle-shaped nests with long entrance tunnels in low, dense foliage. Both parents share responsibilities for nest building, incubation, and feeding the young. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and predation by domestic cats are significant threats to this species in some areas.
Beautiful Firetails inhabit coastal heathlands, tea-tree scrub, and casuarina woodlands in southeastern Australia, including Tasmania and some offshore islands. They are usually found near water and prefer dense, shrubby vegetation. The best times to observe them are at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Listen for soft rustling sounds in the undergrowth, which often reveal their presence before they are seen
Physical Attributes
Height
11 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds4%
Top Locations
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