Plum Headed Finch
Latin Name: Neochmia modesta
Other Names: Cherry Finch, Diadem Finch, Modest Finch, Plum Capped Finch, Plumhead

Identification Plum Headed Finch
Male: olive-brown above; spotted white on wings. White below, barred brown. Forehead, crown, chin deep claret. Bill, lores and tail black. Female: no claret chin spot. Thin white line above and to rear of eye. Size 10.5-11.5 cm. Juv: no claret head markings; faint barring on abdomen.

Voice Plum Headed Finch
Loud tinkling whistle 'pyiiit' in identification and flight; soft murmured 'tlip' in close contact. Song: Very soft high pitched chirping and gargling trills which become louder and more flute like towards end.

Habitat Plum Headed Finch
Open woodland bordering watercourses. In pairs or small flocks. Food: seeds of grasses and other plants.

Distribution Plum Headed Finch
From Cairns (Qld) through the central areas of New South Wales to near the Victorian border.

Nest Plum Headed Finch
Bottle shaped, composed of dried grasses and lined with feathers; built in tall grass, among thistles, or in a low bush.

Breeding Plum Headed Finch
Breeding Season: September to May. Eggs: Four to seven; white. Incubation 14 days, by both sexes. Young fledge in about 21 days.

Breeders Price Guide (Aviary bred pairs) Plum Headed Finch
$40 to $50

Aviary Licence Requirements in Qld Plum Headed Finch
Recreational Wildlife licence required.

Aviary Notes Plum Headed Finch
They prefer an aviary that is dry and away from cold and drafts. The pair bond is strong, but they might take a new mate. They can be kept in a collection of small seed eaters. Paired up or as a colony. A lot of time is spent on the ground foraging.

Australian Field Guides

The Field Guide To The Birds Of Australia - Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight Save 33%

Field Guide To Australian Birds - Michael Morcombe Save 22%

What Bird Is That? - Neville Cayley

Simpson & Day Field Guide To The Birds Of Australia - Ken Simpson

The Slater Field Guide To Australian Birds - Peter Slater

Photographic Field Guide To Birds Of Australia - Jim Flegg

Australian Birds: A Concise Photographic Field Guide - Donald & Molly Trounson

A Photographic Guide To Birds Of Australia Peter Rowland