We've been visited by a dozen or so of these lovely small birds. Could you please identify them for us?
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G & P, Wattle Flat.
Your birds are red-browed finches, pretty little native birds that move from place to place in search of grass seeds. They might be present at a locality for a couple of months and then leave when seeds become scarce.
They are fairly common locally, usually along creeks where there are dense shrubs bordering grassy places. At times they come to Ballarat, especially along the Yarrowee valley at Brown Hill and Sebastopol. They are usually found in flocks of about six to 20 or more.
At this time of the year they can often be found in mown areas, feeding on seeds of winter grass. Red-browed firetail is another name, given because of the red rump.
- Questions and photos are welcome. Send to Roger Thomas at The Courier, PO Box 21, Ballarat, 3353, or email to rthomas@vic.australis.com.au