Masked Finch
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| Masked Finch | ||||||||||||||
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| Missing image Masked_Finch.jpg image:Masked_Finch.jpg | ||||||||||||||
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| Poephila personata Gould,, 1842 |
The Masked Finch (Poephila personata) is a common resident of grasslands with at least a few shrubs and grassy tropical woodlands 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 Chilagoe, but always near water.
Pairs or small flocks forage through the day, mostly on the ground for fallen grass seeds. In the evenings and early mornings, large numbers—sometimes thousands— can gather around waterholes to drink, bathe, and preen, flicking their tails sideways and chattering incessantly.
Sexes are similar. Pairs build a domed nest from grasses, lined with fine grass, feathers, and charcoal, in the late wet season or early dry. The nest position varies: it can be as high as 20 metres or simply hidden in long grass. Five to six white eggs are laid.