DESCRIPTION 3 inches (8cm). Smallest of Australian grass-finches. Face, throat and under-parts white with black bands across breast and neck. Forehead and front upperparts dark brown with fine bars, turning into light brown with fine bars, black wings with white dots, black tail and white rump. Eyes dark brown, beak grey, legs grey-brown. Female duller.

NATURAL DISTRIBUTION Eastern New South Wales, Queensland (except the southwestern parts), northern areas of Northern Territory, and northwestern Western Australia.

HABITAT Long grass and scrub, near water, and in cane fields, parks and gardens, in two subspecies.

DIET Insects, standard seed mixture. Drinks by sucking.

SPECIAL NEEDS House indoors in autumn and winter. Some live food throughout the year, especially during breeding season.

CAGE LIFE Friendly and-peaceful aviary bird, often found on the ground. A leaf-mould compost heap in a corner will give them opportunity to look for insects, satisfying their urge for scratching. Builds own nest from grass and feathers in thick shrub or uses nest box. Breeding should be successful provided you have a true pair and aviary is not crowded. Lays 4 to 5 white eggs, incubation 14 days by both sexes, both sit on nest at night, fledging 22 days.

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