# Masked finch

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Masked_finch
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Masked_finch.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_finch
> Source revision: 1355267137
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

The **masked finch** (***Poephila personata***) is a small [passerine](/source/Passerine) [bird](/source/Bird) in the [estrildid finch](/source/Estrildid_finch) family, Estrildidae. It is a common resident of dry [savannah](/source/Savannah) across northern [Australia](/source/Australia), from the [Kimberley](/source/Kimberley_region_of_Western_Australia), across the [Top End](/source/Top_End), the Gulf country and the southern part of [Cape York Peninsula](/source/Cape_York_Peninsula), as far east as [Chillagoe](/source/Chillagoe), but always near water.

## Description

The masked finch is 12.5–13.5 cm long. The male is larger, but the sexes are otherwise similar. It is cinnamon-brown above and paler below with a white rump, black mark on the flanks and black face mask. It has a heavy yellow bill and a pointed black tail. The eastern [subspecies](/source/Subspecies) *P. p. leucotis* has whitish cheeks.

## Behaviour

Pairs or small flocks of masked finches forage through the day, mostly on the ground for grass seeds. In the evenings and early mornings, large numbers—sometimes thousands— can gather around waterholes to drink, cleanse, and preen, flicking their tails sideways and chattering incessantly.

Pairs build a domed [nest](/source/Bird_nest) from grasses, lined with fine grass, feathers, and charcoal, in the late wet or early dry season. The nest position varies: it can be as high as 20 metres or simply hidden in long grass. Five to six white [eggs](/source/Bird_egg) are laid.

## References

- BirdLife International (2008) [Species factsheet: *Poephila personata*](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=8680&m=0). Downloaded from [http://www.birdlife.org](http://www.birdlife.org) on 5 August 2008.[dead link]
- Clement, Peter; Harris, Alan & Davies, John (1993) *Finches and Sparrows: An Identification Guide*, Christopher Helm, London.
- Pizzey, Graham & Knight, Frank (1997) *Birds of Australia*, HarperCollins, London.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Masked finch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_finch) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_finch?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.