Painted Firetail

DISTRIBUTION:

Painted Firetail pair (male is on the left) 

Distribution Map

IDENTIFICATION.

LENGTH = 100 mm

MALE: Crown and back pale brown; rump and upper tail-coverts scarlet; tail brown. Lores, forehead, face, chin and upper throat scarlet. Front of neck, breast, belly and flanks black with white spots; centre of belly scarlet; undertail-coverts black. Eye white; upper mandible black with red tip, lower red with blue base; legs with pink-brown.

FEMALE: Scarlet limited to face and small patch on belly.

IMMATURES: Similar to female but duller. No scarlet on head and breast; bill black above, grey below.

NESTING. 

Breeding months vary, depending on rainfall. Nest globular, with no entrance tunnel, 110 mm long, 110 mm high and 130 mm wide. Nest platform of earth stones and bark; outer wall of twigs , bark, rootlets and Spinifex stalks; inner walls of soft grass stems and lined with hairy seeds and feathers; placed in Spinifex grass. Eggs: three or four; white; 14 mm X 11 mm.

FORMS. 

AVIARY BREEDING.

NESTING TYPES: I have found that these birds will nest almost anywhere although they will usually prefer a nest box including parrot nest boxes rather than build a nest of their own. I have seen these birds build nests in tea tree branches and planted trees but very rarely. Best results have been from boxes 150 mm square X 125 mm high with a 40 mm access hole in the front and a small landing platform just below the entrance. (See the Plans page for more information) 

FEEDING: A general finch mix is ideal for this bird. Birds will also readily take seeding grasses and live food. However I have had seen these birds breed successfully with just a mixed seed diet. Egg and biscuit will also be taken readily. 

OTHER FEEDS: Cuttlebone and shell grit should be supplied at all times.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: There are no special requirements for this species. However care should be taken not to house this species with the Masked Finch or the Long-tailed Finch or any of the subspecies.

These are recommendations only and individual breeders may have different dimensions and specifications.