Double-barred Finch

Double-barred FinchDouble-barred Finch – water Double-barred Finch – mixed company

The Double-barred Finch (Stizoptera bichenovii) is one of the long-tailed grass finches and has two narrow, black bars markings that, one that extend across its breast and the other across the lower part of its throat. This upper bar extends up and encloses the bird’s white face, giving the impression of a facial disc, that is reminiscent of a Barn Owl.

It is a small, white, grey-brown bird with a white rump and black tail. The wings are black, with spotted white markings, the bill and legs being a bluish-grey. The juveniles are similar in pattern with a duller greyer colour and indistinct chest bars.

There are two subspecies of Double-barred Finch: the western race has a black rump, the eastern race has a white rump.

The Double-barred Finch are seen in open grassy habitats of far northern and eastern Australia. They are typically in pairs or small groups feeding on the ground on seeds, although they will also eat insects.