These tubercles are commonly (and incorrectly) described as phosphorescent in spite of much scientific evidence to the contrary.
Endangered
Endemic to Australia
At a glance
FamilyWaxbills and Allies
SizeTiny
RarityUncommon
HabitatMarine and coastal; usually found over open ocean, offshore waters, islands, headlands, and other coastal areas.
Best timeMost reliable in Northern Territory from September.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Louis Masarei
Range map
Range map
532visible hotspots
5620visible records
4states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Juvenile dull olive above, pale below, with paler bill than most other small finch-like birds.
Behavior
Feeds on the ground; when disturbed, flushes into trees, showing a flash of bright green backs. Inhabits grassy open woodlands across northeastern Western Australia, the Top End of Northern Territory, and parts of northern Queensland.
Gallery
Regional timing
Northern Territory
Queensland
Western Australia
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Long-tailed FinchPoephila acuticaudaNote white rump in flight. Juveniles similar but duller, with dark bill. Compare with Masked Finch, which has black mask and lacks gray head.→Masked FinchPoephila personataJuveniles similar but duller, with dark bill. Long tail but lacks the long streamers of similar Long-tailed Finch, with which Masked is sometimes found.→Double-barred FinchStizoptera bichenoviiAdult has a thin black outline around pale face, lending a sort of→