Beautiful Firetail

The beautiful firetail, a small and plump avian wonder, graces the Australian landscape with its presence. Measuring a modest 10 to 13 centimetres in length and tipping the scales at a mere 14 grams, this bird is a touch smaller than its cousin, the diamond firetail. Its plumage is a delightful olive-brown, adorned with a white chest intricately patterned with dark lines. A striking black mask, highlighted by pale blue rings around the eyes, complements its thick red beak. The rump boasts a deep red, while its legs and feet are of a creamy pink hue. With short and rounded wings and tail, the beautiful firetail is a sight to behold. The juveniles, less vivid in colour, sport a smaller face mask and a blackish beak. Notably, the male is distinguished by his black abdomen.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the beautiful firetail, look for the distinctive black mask and pale blue eye rings. The red beak is thick and prominent, a feature that is hard to miss. The deep red rump and the fine dark lines on the white chest are also key characteristics to observe. The bird's small stature, olive-brown colouring, and rounded wings and tail further aid in its identification.

Habitat

The beautiful firetail is a creature of the coastal heathland, forests, and shrubbery, with a strong affinity for water. It is most commonly found in riparian habitats within intact forest areas, such as those in the Victorian Central Highlands.

Distribution

Endemic to Southeastern Australia, the beautiful firetail's range stretches from Newcastle to Kangaroo Island. It is particularly prolific in Tasmania and the surrounding off-shore islands.

Behaviour

This bird is known to form monogamous pairs or small groups of up to 20 individuals. The beautiful firetail is a resident species, staying close to its home territory.

Breeding

Breeding season for the beautiful firetail spans from October to January. The nests, constructed of grass and thin twigs and lined with feathers, are bottle-shaped with a long tunnel entrance leading to a spherical chamber. Both parents are involved in nest building, incubating the clutch of five to eight eggs for about 20 days, and feeding the chicks. The young fledge after approximately 20 days and gain independence at around four weeks of age. Sexual maturity is reached between nine to twelve months.

Diet and Feeding

The beautiful firetail's diet consists mainly of grass seeds, with a preference for seeds from Casuarina and Melaleuca. It also forages in Banksia ericifolia heathland. The diet is occasionally supplemented with small insects and snails.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the beautiful firetail as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers.