Twelve-year-old Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda in the wild: Significant new longevity record

Abstract

Although finches in captivity may live for ≥10 years, banding data suggest that Australian finches in the wild rarely live >5–6 years. For example, the previous longevity record for the Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens is 4 years 2.1 months. In 2009, 557 juvenile Star Finches were colour-banded in Wyndham, Western Australia. In 2021, one of those birds was photographed near the banding site. This bird was in its 13th year of life.