Nest-site and Breeding-season Data for the Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton in Australia

Abstract

 The nest-site preferences of the two sub-species of Crimson Finch  Neochmia phaeton (Black-bellied N.p. phaeton and White-bellied N.p evangelinae) were examined. Most breeding took place during the wet season. The nominate sub-species phaeton often used artificial structures when available, including roof rafters, telegraph poles, an air-conditioner and a boat. Both subspecies preferred to nest between the fronds of trees with palm-like leaves, mostly Pandanus or Corypha. N. p. evangelinae used a narrower range of sites for constructing nests than did N. p. phaeton and, so far in Australia, has not been recorded using artificial sites.