Sunda zebra finch
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
| Sunda zebra finch | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Estrildidae |
| Genus: | Taeniopygia |
| Species: | T. guttata |
| Binomial name | |
| Taeniopygia guttata (Vieillot, 1817) | |
The Sunda zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a species of bird in the family Estrildidae. It is found in the Lesser Sundas. The Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a small, sociable bird native to Australia and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Known for its rapid maturation and distinctive black and white markings, this species thrives in dry habitats and has adapted well to human-altered environments. Zebra Finches are notable for their complex vocalizations and strong pair bonds, making them a key species for studying avian biology and behaviour.
Identification: Zebra Finches are primarily grey with distinctive black 'tear drop' eye stripes and 'zebra-like' black and white barring on the rump and upper tail. The throat and upper breast are pale grey with fine black barring, and there is a broad black band on the upper chest. The sides of the belly are chestnut with numerous white spots, while the rest of the belly and the undertail are white. Males are characterised by orange chestnut cheek patches, earning them the alternative name of Chestnut-eared Finch. Both sexes have red eyes and bills, with orange-yellow legs and feet. Juveniles resemble females but lack the distinct black and white head markings, having grey-brown eyes and black bills.
Size: Zebra Finches typically measure about 10 cm (4 inches) in length.
Coloration: Males have a more vibrant and colourful appearance with bright orange cheek patches, a red beak, and black and white barring on the chest and throat. Females are generally less colourful, lacking the orange cheek patches and having a lighter, less vivid beak colour.
Ecology
Habitat: Zebra Finches are commonly found in the drier regions of Australia, living in social flocks of up to 100 or more birds year-round. They inhabit dry wooded grasslands, often near watercourses.
Distribution: They are the most widespread of Australia's grassfinches, present across the Australian mainland except for Cape York Peninsula and some coastal areas. Additionally, they inhabit Timor and the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Feeding and Diet: Zebra Finches feed in large flocks, primarily on fallen or ripening grass seeds. They also consume insects, especially when feeding their young. Feeding occurs on the ground; unlike some other grassfinches, Zebra Finches do not pull seed heads down with their feet.
Economic Impact: The introduction of artificial dams and water tanks has expanded the natural range of Zebra Finches, as they require regular access to drinking water.
Behaviour
Social Structure: Highly social, Zebra Finches are often found in flocks.
Communication: Their common calls include a loud nasal "tiah," often heard during flight, and a soft "tet tet" for close contact.
Breeding Behaviours: Zebra Finches pair for life. The female selects the nest site, while both sexes care for the eggs and young. The male gathers most of the nesting material, which the female uses to construct a loose dome-shaped nest. Although uncommon, some birds nest in ground hollows. The breeding season typically spans from October to April, varying with rainfall.
Maturation: With a rapid development cycle, Zebra Finches mature sexually within 70 to 80 days post-hatching, making them one of the fastest maturing bird species recorded.
Taxonomy
Scientific Name: Taeniopygia guttata Family: Estrildidae Subspecies: • Timor Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata guttata): Native to the Lesser Sunda Islands, including Timor. • Australian Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis): Widespread across the Australian mainland.
Parasites[edit]
T. guttata sometimes serves as a model organism. Study of the immune response of T. guttata to parasites is informative for avians as a class. Its transcriptome responses to infection have been studied by Watson et al., 2017 and Scalf et al., 2019.[2]: 542 T. guttata is not known to have ever been infected with any Plasmodium. Valkiūnas et al., 2018 find T. guttata seems totally resistant to the malaria parasite that is most common among avians, Plasmodium relictum.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Taeniopygia guttata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T103817982A132195948. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Santiago-Alarcon, Diego; Alfonso, Marzal, eds. (2020). Avian Malaria and Related Parasites in the Tropics : Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. pp. xiv+575. ISBN 978-3-030-51632-1. OCLC 1204140762. ISBN 978-3-030-51633-8.
- ^ Martínez-de la Puente, Josué; Santiago-Alarcon, Diego; Palinauskas, Vaidas; Bensch, Staffan (2021). "Plasmodium relictum". Trends in Parasitology. 37 (4). Cell Press: 355–356. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2020.06.004. ISSN 1471-4922.
- Gill F, D Donsker & P Rasmussen (Eds). 2022. IOC World Bird List (v12.1). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.12.1
Avibase (2018). Taeniopygia guttata guttata (Zebra Finch (guttata)) - Avibase. [online] avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Available at: https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=CF7D71B0FC773B09 eBird (2022). Zebra Finch (Lesser Sundas) - eBird. [online] ebird.org. Available at: https://ebird.org/species/zebfin1?siteLanguage=en_AU. News, O.H. 10am-5pmFree G.E.C.D.A. 1 W.S.N. 2010 A.P. +61 2 9320 6000 www australian museum C. © 2021 T.A.M.A. 85 407 224 698 V.M. (n.d.). Zebra Finch. [online] The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/zebra-finch-taeniopygia-guttata/. www.birdsinbackyards.net. (2019). Zebra Finch | BIRDS in BACKYARDS. [online] Available at: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Taeniopygia-guttata.
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