This Zebra Finch must have been building a nest somewhere. It had all sorts of problems with the feathers it had collected, it was a rather large bunch. It sat on this branche for a while, but I didn't see a nest anywhere.
Zebra Finch
Fri, 21/03/2014 - 21:12
#1
Araminta
Zebra Finch
Absolutely beautiful. Stunning colours.
wonderful closeup - such a beautiful little bird
Wow! Great shot! Do you see them often at your place? I would love to see some more photos of them
So beautiful, as always
Thanks for the nice comment Elsie. I wish I had them at my place. I took these photos at the Werribee Equestrian Centre, while a friend was having a riding lesson. There were large numbers around. This one was taking advantage of the feathers falling to the ground when some of the Lorikeets got into fights. I’d love to show you more photos, but they all look very similar to these, as this was the only bird sitting in one spot for long enough.
Here are some more:
M-L
What a sweet little bird!
They are so stunning! Is this a male bird?
Yes Elsie it is a male. The female doesn't have the ear patch, or the black chest bar. The abdoman is not white like in the male, but buff.The juvenile looks like the female, but has a black bill.
M-L
Wow, constantly amazed by your range of birds, Araminta. I didn't know that Zebra finches were found on the east coast. Do you see them much, or are they just the occaisonal visitor?
They were not in my garden, but as far as distance goes, not that far either. At times we have seen huge flocks of about 50-100 at the (Werribee ) WesternTreatment Plant. These ones weren't that far away from that area at an Equestrian Centre.
I'm not 100% certain if they are only found around there at certain times of the year? Someone else might know that?
M-L
Wow, Great photos. I love Zebra Finches, I wish they were more common in sydney! I have seen them before in Sydney, but only once.
Post 11 spam, Holly advised
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Great shots Araminta!
These finches are quite common around here (Samford Valley just north west of Brisbane) but they don't keep still for very long at all so you’ve done well to catch them. Interesting to see the finch was collecting nesting material at this time of the year. I have placed some small nesting boxes around the garden in some of the trees in the hope that some will take up the offer of free accommodation in exchange for a few photographs.
Samford Valley Qld.
Hi Reflex, those Finches are not building nests right now. I took those photos in "March" this year, close to the Western Treatment Plant. It's just come up the top again, because a spammer's post.
The birds were concentrating on the job, they paid no attention to me. That's why I could get very close to them
M-L
Thanks Araminta.
Makes sense now.
Samford Valley Qld.
Hi Reflex. Depending on the size of the entrance, your nest boxes may be used by Zebra Finches but they prefer to nest low in dense, prickly bushes. I've seen them nesting in a Drooping She-oak Allocasuarina verticillata so I guess they use dense trees, too.
If the Zebra Finches don't use the nest boxes then I'm confident something else will but be prepared to remove any nesting material placed in them by feral birds such as House Sparrows.