birds free wallpaper 99: Double Barred Finch

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Double Barred Finch

Double Barred Finch Biography
Double-barred Finch has two narrow, black bars which extend across (and contrast with) its otherwise white front — one goes across its breast and the other across the lower portion of its throat. This second bar encloses the bird’s face and gives the impression that the bird has a facial disc, a little reminiscent of that of a Barn Owl. It is this feature that has led to the bird being colloquially referred to as the ‘Owl Finch’ or the ‘Owl-faced Finch’.

The Double-barred Finch is one of the long-tailed grass-finches and is notable for its 'owl-faced' features, having a white face bordered black. It is grey-brown, with white underparts banded black above and below the chest, giving the species its name. The wings are black, spotted white, the tail is black and the bill and legs are blueish-grey. Juveniles are dulller, with indistinct chest bars. These grass-finches usually feed in flocks and have a bouncing, undulating flight pattern.

The Double-barred Finch is found in the Kimberley region through to west of the Gulf of Carpentaria (the western race annulosa), and then from Cape York down the east coast to south-eastern Victoria (the eastern race, bichenovii). The Double-barred Finch prefers dry grassy woodlands and scrublands, open forests and farmlands. It is never far from water.

The Double-barred Finch feeds on the ground on seeds. It will also take insects, especially when breeding. It usually feeds in groups or flocks of up to 40 birds.

The Double-barred Finch builds a rounded nest, with a side entrance and short tunnel into a inner chamber lined with fine grass, feathers and plant down. The nest is placed between 1 m to 5 m from the ground in pandanus or thick shrubs, or even in the eaves of a building, often close to an active wasps' nest. Both parents incubate and feed the young.

Double Barred Finch