Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata)
Diamond Firetail

Diamond Firetail

Stagonopleura guttata

The Diamond Firetail, Stagonopleura guttata, stands as one of the more robust finches native to Australia, boasting a weight between 15 to 19 grams and a wingspan stretching from 64 to 71 millimeters. Its plumage is a tapestry of striking contrasts: a grey head and olive back, a white belly and throat bisected by a bold black band, and flanks adorned with black and white spots. The name 'firetail' is derived from its vivid scarlet rump, complemented by a black tail. Juveniles present a more subdued appearance and possess a black bill, maturing into the vibrant adult coloration with time.

Identification Tips

In the field, the Diamond Firetail can be recognized by its distinctive black breast-band set against a white breast, and the spotted black flanks. The scarlet rump is particularly noticeable in flight, a feature that is often a giveaway of its identity. These birds are typically observed in pairs or small groups, and their flight pattern is characterized by low, direct lines.

Habitat

The Diamond Firetail favors open grassy eucalypt forests and woodlands, as well as heath, mallee country, farmland, and grasslands dotted with trees. Its preferred habitats are under threat from various anthropogenic factors, including over-grazing, weed invasion, and salinisation, which in turn affect the availability of its main food sources and increase competition and predation risks.

Distribution

Endemic to Australia, the Diamond Firetail has a patchy distribution, found from Southeast Queensland to the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Historical records suggest a broader range, with sightings as far north as the Kirrama Tableland in North Queensland.

Behaviour

Diamond firetails are primarily ground feeders, favoring grass seeds in various stages of ripeness. They exhibit a hopping behavior while foraging but will retreat to the safety of trees when disturbed.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Diamond Firetail include a penetrating "twoo-hee" or "pain" call. Their contact call is reminiscent of a mournful whistle, often compared to the descending call of the black-eared cuckoo, typically with an ascending first syllable followed by a descending second. They tend to be silent when in flight.

Breeding

Both partners share the responsibility of incubation and caring for the young. Nests are artfully constructed with green grass, leaves, and stems, and lined with feathers and fine grasses. These nests are often strategically placed in dense foliage or high in trees, sometimes within the nests of other birds, including birds of prey, to provide additional protection.

Similar Species

While the Diamond Firetail is unique in its appearance, it may be confused with other finches that share similar habitats. However, its size, distinctive coloration, and spotted flanks generally distinguish it from its relatives.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Diamond Firetail consists mainly of grass seeds, but they are also known to consume insects and larvae. Their feeding habits are adaptable, and they can be seen hopping on the ground in search of food.

Conservation status

The Diamond Firetail is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also listed as Vulnerable under various Australian state and national legislations, reflecting the concerns for its continued survival in the wild.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Diamond Firetails on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Waxbills, Munias & Allies

A photo of a Plum-headed Finch (Aidemosyne modesta) , male

Plum-headed Finch

Aidemosyne modesta
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright ÂĐ 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.