The plum-headed finch (Neochmia modesta) also known as cherry finch is a common species of estrildid finch found in Australia. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 100,000 – 1,000,000 km2.
| Plum-headed finch | |
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| Species: | N. modesta
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| Neochmia modesta (Gould, 1837)
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Habitat
It is found in dry savannah and subtropical/tropical (lowland) dry shrubland in Australia. The IUCN has classified the species as being of least concern.
Characteristics
The female is similar to the male but lacks the male's black chin spot.
The plum-headed finch breeds mainly from September to January in the south and from August to March in the north. The nest is round, laterally compressed chamber of green grass and is built in thick bushes. Four to six pure white eggs are laid.
Origin
Origin and phylogeny has been obtained by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena et al.[2] Estrildinae may have originated in India and dispersed thereafter (towards Africa and Pacific Ocean habitats).
References
- ^ Template:IUCN
- ^ Arnaiz-Villena, A; Ruiz-del-Valle V; Gomez-Prieto P; Reguera R; Parga-Lozano C; Serrano-Vela I (2009). "Estrildinae Finches (Aves, Passeriformes) from Africa, South Asia and Australia: a Molecular Phylogeographic Study" (PDF). The Open Ornithology Journal. 2: 29–36. doi:10.2174/1874453200902010029.
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