The finches of family Estrildidae are small birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are closely related to the true sparrows of family Passeridae. The estrilidid finches are gregarious and often seed-eaters with short, thick, but pointed bills. They vary from 8-17 cm. These finches are all similar in structure and habits, but vary widely in plumage colors and pattern. All the estrildids build large domed nests and lay 5–10 white eggs. Most are sensitive to cold and require a warm, usually tropical, habitat, although a few have adapted to the cooler climates of southern Australia.

They are not closely related to the Fringillid Finches.  [abstracted from Wikipedia]


Genus Emblema - 1 species

Finch, Painted aka Painted Firetail Emblema pictum Found: Australia
Photographed by: William Kreijkes
1) Male



Genus Erythrura

Finch, Gouldian Erythrura gouldiae or Chloebia gouldiae   Endemic to Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2) Trisha Shears at the Cincinnati Zoo   3, 4, 5) Dick Daniels - Butterfly World in Florida
1) Juvenile



Parrotfinch, Blue-faced  Erythrura trichroa  Found: Asia, Australia
Photographed by: Isidro Martínez - Canary Islands



Genus Lonchura

Mannikin, Chestnut-breasted  aka  Chestnut-breasted Munia  Lonchura castaneothorax Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Aviceda - Samsonvale Cemetery, SE Queensland, Australia 
    2) David Cook - Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo 


Mannikin, Nutmeg aka Scaly-breasted Munia aka Spice Finch Lonchura punctulata  
    Found: North America (escapees), Asia, Australia (introduced), Hawaii
Photographed by:   1) Durai Raj  2, 3, 4) DIck Daniels - Hawaii
4) Juvenile



Genus Neochmia

Finch, Plum-headed  Neochmia modesta  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2) Aviceda - Gatton, Queensland  3) David Cook



Finch, Red-browed  Neochmia temporalis  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) David Cook - Rocky Hall, NSW, Australia 


  Neochmia ruficauda  Found: Australia
Photographed by:  1) JJ Harrison - Walk-in Aviary, Canberra, Australian National Territory  2) André Karwath 
    3) David Cook - Beerwah, Queensland



Genus Padda

Finch, Java aka Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora   Found: North America (escapees), Asia, Australia (introduced), Hawaii (introduced),
Photographed by: 1, 3, 4)  DIck Daniels - Hawaii   2) Arthur Chapman



Genus Poephila

Finch, Long-tailed aka Shaft-tailed Finch  Poephila acuticauda  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) Dick Daniels - Butterfly World in Florida
4, 5, 6) Fawn morph




Genus Stagonopleura

Firetail, Beautiful  Stagonopleura bella  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2) David Cook - Kangaroo Island, South Australia and Little Forest Plateau, Moreton National Park
   3) Aviceda - Melaleuca, SW Tasmania


Firetail, Diamond  Stagonopleura guttata  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) JJ Harrison - Victoria, Australia  2, 3, 4) David Cook -  Wamboin, NSW, Australia.
4) Juvenile



Genus Taeniopygia

Finch, Double-barred  aka  Owl Finch  Taeniopygia bichenovii  Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Butterfly World in Florida 
    3, 4) David Cook - Callum Brae Nature Reserve, Canberra, ACT, Australia


Finch, Zebra    Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1, 2) David Cook - May River (the Kimberley), Western Australia
    3, 4) Sandy Cole and Dick Daniels - Butterfly World in Florida
2) Juvenile  3, 4) Black-cheeked morph