Red-eared Firetail

The Red-eared Firetail, or boorin, is a charming finch-like bird that graces the dense wetland vegetation of Southwest Australia. With a striking appearance characterized by white spots, black barring, and vivid crimson marks near the ear and upper tail, this species is a visual delight. Despite its allure, the Red-eared Firetail is often elusive, glimpsed only briefly as it flits through its habitat or when its soft voice betrays its presence.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species boast a scarlet bill and a black mask, accentuated by a bright crimson patch behind the eye and at the rump. The plumage is olive-brown on the upper parts and buff-brown on the breast, both thinly barred with black. White spots adorn the blackish underparts. The female is similar to the male, though her colors may be less intense outside the breeding season.

Habitat

The Red-eared Firetail is found in forest understorey, paperbark swamps, heathland, river frontage, and gullies. It favors areas with dense vegetation, often near eucalypts, she-oaks, and paperbarks.

Distribution

This bird is endemic to the south-western corner of Australia, with a range that extends from the southern coast past Esperance to the east, and as far north as Cape Naturaliste.

Behaviour

The Red-eared Firetail forms lifelong pairs that bond over a territory centered on their roosting and brooding nest site. Unlike other species of its genus, it is rarely seen in large flocks and tends to be discreet and solitary.

Song & Calls

The soft voice of the Red-eared Firetail includes a variety of calls, such as a mournful, drawn-out note that can be difficult to locate. Communication between mates is often a soft, intimate exchange.

Breeding

Breeding pairs construct a tightly woven grass nest, often in a concealed location. They lay clutches of four to six pure white eggs, which hatch after about 14 days of shared incubation.

Similar Species

In its native habitat, the Red-eared Firetail is not easily confused with other birds, except perhaps the Red-browed Finch, which has escaped captivity and bred in the region.

Diet and Feeding

The Red-eared Firetail feeds on seeds, particularly those of sedges and Allocasuarina cones. It is adept at foraging in dense vegetation, rarely descending to the ground.

Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Red-eared Firetail as Least Concern, with a stable population despite habitat degradation in some areas.