Zebra Finch
Taeniopygia guttata
The Zebra Finch is perhaps the most common bird along the Oodnadatta
Track. Like all finches, it requires daily water but with the abundance
of mound springs in the district it has no trouble making its residency
virtually anywhere, particularly in amongst prickly Dead Finish
bush.
The Zebra Finch always appear to lead a highly social life about
water. When our camel team approaches a spring it is invariably
the Zebra Finch population that welcomes us with an intense barrage
of inquisitive chattering. They quickly become indifferent to our
presence and continue on with their chattering, swimming, drinking
and squabbling with gay abandon.
Zebra Finches are grass seed eaters and are themselves eaten by
birds of prey and all reptiles big enough and clever enough to capture
them.
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