Taeniopygia guttata

(Zebra finch)

Description

This small bird is not often seen but when it is it is usually in grassy areas feeding on grass seeds. Head and body are grey, darker in the male, rump white and black and white-barred tail. In the male there is a chestnut-coloured ear patch and on the flank a chestnut patch with white spots. Legs and feet red, eyes brown, bill red. Photograph courtesy Ian Montgomery, www.birdway.com.au