Animalia Life
Taeniopygia bichenovii
SUBFAMILY
Poephilinae
TAXONOMY
Fringilla bichenovii Vigors and Horsfield, 1827.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Bicheno finch, owl finch, owl-faced finch, banded finch,
ringed finch, black-ringed finch; French: Diamant de Bichenov;
German: Ringelastrild; Spanish: Pinzуn de Dos Barras.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
3.9–4.3 in (10–11 cm). Sexes alike. Juveniles are a paler version
of adults. The double-barred finch is brown with white spots
on the upper wings. The underparts and face are cream, with
the face surrounded by a black ring. There is another black bar
across the lower breast.
DISTRIBUTION
Northern and eastern Australia.
HABITAT
Inhabits dry, open areas including grass plains, open woodland,
forest edges, cane fields, inhabited and cultivated areas, and
parks and gardens.
BEHAVIOR
Found in small flocks during the breeding season and in larger
flocks when not breeding. Roosts communally in specially built
nests. The call is a “tat, tat” or a “tiaat, tiaat.” The song is a
softer version of that of the zebra finch.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds among grasses and on the ground where it consumes a
variety of seeds and undoubtedly a small quantity of insects.
This species drinks in a pigeon-like manner.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Breeds year-round with three to six white eggs laid. Builds an
almost spherical nest of dry grass stems or uses old nests of
other species.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Commonly kept and bred in captivity where it is known as the
owl finch.
Photo Gallery of - Double-barred finch
