Painted Firetail
Emblema pictum
EndemicStatus
UncommonRarity
Bird Gallery
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Species Description
The Painted Firetail, also known as the Painted Finch (Emblema pictum), is a small native Australian bird well adapted to arid and semi-arid landscapes. It is commonly found across much of central and northern Australia, where it thrives in rocky regions and grasslands dominated by spinifex
Fun Facts
Painted Firetails often decorate their nest entrances with pieces of charcoal, a unique behaviour among Australian finches.
1. Males show a vivid red face and central breast patch; females have red only around the eyes.
2. Both sexes have black underparts with white spots and a cherry-red rump visible in flight.
3. Juveniles are duller overall and lack any red on the face.
Painted Firetails are found in the arid and semi-arid zones of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia. They prefer rocky hillsides, outcrops, and grasslands with dense spinifex or tussock grasses, and are often seen foraging on the ground for seeds. They are most active at dawn and dusk, especially near water sources, and can sometimes be seen in small flocks outside the breeding season.
Physical Attributes
Height
11 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds4%
Top Locations
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