Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Star Finch (Bathilda ruficauda)
Star Finch

Star Finch

Bathilda ruficauda

The star finch, Bathilda ruficauda, is a small and vibrant estrildid finch, measuring between 10 and 12 cm in length. It is adorned with a striking crimson face and a scarlet bill, while its plumage is a cheerful yellow-green, speckled with broad white spots on the underparts. The belly is a more pronounced yellow, and the upper tail coverts are a vivid scarlet, with tail feathers of a brownish scarlet hue. The female is less vivid, with reduced crimson on the head, and the immature birds are olive to brownish with a grey face and head.

Identification Tips

To identify the star finch, look for its red face and bill, and the distinctive white spots that trail down its flanks. The wingspan ranges from 49 to 56 mm, the bill length from 11 to 13 mm, and the bird weighs between 10 and 12 grams. The male is generally brighter than the female, and juveniles have a more subdued coloration.

Habitat

The star finch favours low, dense, damp grasslands and sedgelands, often found bordering estuarine areas, watercourses, swamps, and other freshwater bodies. They also inhabit grassy, open savanna-type sclerophyll woodland and can occasionally be seen in towns.

Distribution

This species is native to northern Australia, with its range extending from Western Australia and the Northern Territory to northern Queensland. However, the subspecies found in northern Queensland coastal regions may be extinct.

Behaviour

Star finches are sociable birds, typically seen in flocks of 10 to 30, which can swell to hundreds. They are granivorous, foraging just above the ground or on the ground itself, especially during the dry season. Their nesting involves constructing a globe of grass lined with feathers, where they lay 3 to 7 white eggs.

Diet and Feeding

Star finches are primarily seed-eaters, foraging in vegetation just above the ground and often feeding directly on the ground, particularly in the dry season.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the star finch as Least Concern with a decreasing population. The species is presumed extinct in New South Wales and is listed as Near Threatened in the Northern Territory. The subspecies ruficauda is believed to number less than 50 individuals and is possibly extinct, with the last reliable sighting in 1994.

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

Star Finches on Birda

Photos

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
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
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!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Robred 2
Fun way to add to your birdwatching experience
I enjoy watching birds in my backyard, but this app helped me really pay attention while on vacation this summer. It was fun to add new birds to my bird watching app.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.