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Revision as of 00:30, 23 August 2021 by Peterday (talk | contribs) (Complete rewrite of article)
ssp personata
Photo © by peterday
Holmes Jungle, Darwin, Queensland, June 2015
ssp leucotis
Photo © by peterday
Cumberland Dam, Georgetown, Queensland, July 2021


Poephila personata

Identification

Adult

  • Heavy yellow bill
  • Black mask, chin, tail, band on flanks
  • Buff breast
  • White rump
  • Red legs
  • Subspecies personata has buff ear coverts and lower flanks
  • Subspecies leucotis has white ear coverts and lower flanks

Immature

  • Black bill
  • Duller

Distribution

Northern Australia from Cape York to Kimberley, WA

Taxonomy

Subspecies

There are 2 subspecies[1]

  • personata is found in Northern Territory west to Kimberley, Western Australia
  • leucotis is found in Cape York and eastern NT

Habitat

Grassy woodland close to water

Behaviour

  • Forages on ground in small flocks
  • Flicks tail frequently
  • Gathers at water in morning and evening, sometimes in large numbers

Diet

Diet includes fallen grass seeds.

Breeding

A domed nest is built from grasses, lined with fine grass, feathers, and charcoal, in the late wet season or early dry. 5-6 white eggs are laid.

Vocalisation

External Links


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