The masked finch is a small passerine bird in the estrildid finch family, Estrildidae. It is a common resident of dry savannah across northern Australia, from the Kimberley, across the Top End, the Gulf country and the southern part of Cape York Peninsula, as far east as Chillagoe, but always near water.
Region
Northern Australia
Typical Environment
Inhabits dry savannahs, open grasslands, and lightly wooded eucalypt country across the Kimberley, Top End, Gulf Country and south Cape York. It favors areas close to permanent water and frequently visits rivers, creeks, and pastoral dams. Birds forage on the ground in open areas but keep near low cover such as grasses and shrubs. They adapt well to grazed landscapes provided water and seeding grasses are available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 3/5
The masked finch is a gregarious Australian grassfinch that gathers in flocks, especially around waterholes during the dry season. Males and females look similar, though males may show a slightly larger or darker facial mask. They often mix with other finches and come to drink several times a day, making them a conspicuous sight near permanent water. Two subspecies are recognized, differing subtly in face pattern and ear patch.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small to medium flocks, often joining mixed-species finch flocks near water. They roost communally and maintain loose colonies where food and water are reliable. Nests are domed, grass structures placed in shrubs, trees, or dense tussocks, and both parents share nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, tinkling twitter and high-pitched contact calls used to keep flock cohesion. Males deliver a simple, thin song during courtship, interspersed with quiet trills and chatter.
Plumage
Warm brown upperparts with buff underparts and a distinct black facial mask; clean, even coloration with smooth feathering. The throat and lower face are dark, contrasting with paler flanks and belly. Tail is dark with neat edges; overall appearance is sleek and finely marked.
Diet
Primarily consumes seeds of native grasses, taking both fallen and still-maturing seed heads. During the breeding season they supplement with small insects to provide protein for chicks. They drink frequently and time their movements to dependable water sources.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on the ground in open grasslands, along tracks, and at the margins of watercourses and stock dams. Often forages at the edges of cover, moving between seeding grasses and low shrubs.
