Diamond Firetail

Looks how to spot one

feathers

A small finch with ash-brown upperparts, a silver-grey crown and neck, white underparts, a black band across the chest that continues down the flanks dotted with white, and a bright crimson rump. The bill and eye ring are coral, legs and feet dark grey. Females look similar but are sometimes smaller; juveniles have a black bill and duller colours.13

Personality what they are like

Bold and assertive, with variable aggression between individuals. They can be moderately aggressive, especially during breeding, and may bully smaller finches. Less aggressive individuals can live peacefully in large mixed aviaries with other placid finches. They are social and often seen in groups of five to forty birds in the wild.643

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Needs a large flight aviary (minimum 6 feet by 3.3 feet for a pair) to fly daily. Small cages cause stress. Provide horizontal perches at different heights and a shallow water dish for regular bathing.36

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide a shallow container of water for daily bathing. A strict worming and parasite control programme is essential because they feed on the ground and are prone to fungal and coccidial infections. Avoid damp floors in the aviary.356

Home where they are happiest

Best kept in a large, planted outdoor aviary with plenty of hiding places and nesting sites. They prefer to build their own large nest in dry shrubs or brush, but may accept half-open nest boxes, wire baskets or logs. Nest inspections are not tolerated. In some Australian states, strict licensing requirements apply, and the species is not recommended for beginners.637

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A quality seed mix (canary seed, various millets, panicum) as a base, plus sprouted seeds, fresh green seed heads, leafy greens (kale, bok choy, endive, silverbeet), and live food such as mealworms, maggots, termites and small crickets. Live food is essential for breeding. Avoid too much spinach as it can cause calcium deficiency.637

Company who they like around

Social birds that live in flocks of five to forty in the wild. In captivity, they can be housed with other large finches such as cutthroats, chestnut-breasted mannikins, Java sparrows, goldfinches, greenfinches, song sparrows and canaries. Aggressive individuals may need to be kept as single pairs. They are monogamous and form strong pair bonds.642

The story where it all began

The diamond firetail has been known by several names since the early 1800s, including 'spotted finch' and 'spotted-sided finch'. The name 'diamond firetail' was first used in the Royal Australian Ornithological Union's second official checklist in 1926. Its scientific name Stagonopleura guttata comes from Greek for 'spotty flanks' and Latin for 'droplet'. The species has been kept in aviculture for many years, valued for its striking colours, but it remains a challenging bird for experienced keepers due to its assertive behaviour, difficulty to sex, and specific breeding requirements. In some Australian states, strict licensing is required to keep them.76

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN

Near Threatened3