Double-barred Finch

Identification

A white face outlined in black, two dark chest bands and finely patterned brown-grey upperparts identify the Owl or Double-barred Finch. Stizoptera bichenovii is also published as Taeniopygia bichenovii.

Male & female

Sexes are closely similar. Do not base a confident assignment on chest-band width or a single photograph; retain age and behavioural evidence.

Nature & behaviour

Native to northern and eastern Australia, especially grassy woodland and shrub cover. The common name Owl Finch refers to its facial pattern, not its family.

Cages & aviaries

Provide a sheltered flight with protected resting cover and open flight routes. Keep food and bathing dishes accessible without forcing a timid bird past a dominant neighbour.

Diet & feeding

A grass-seed feeder: offer varied suitable small seeds, clean seeding grasses and accepted rearing food. Observe intake and keep moist additions fresh; the website does not establish a product dose for this species.

Breeding

Prepare a compatible pair and discreet nest supports before encouraging breeding. Dahlem’s natural-history account gives 4–6 eggs, 12–14 days incubation and fledging around day 21. These field reference figures are not a captive protocol or separation date.

Compatibility

A quiet pair enclosure is the simplest breeding starting point. Flocking behaviour in nature does not prove that a crowded mixed breeding cage is safe.

Breeding timeline

Follow the bird, not just the calendar. Published ranges are observation windows; actual parental care and feeding decide the next step.

Reference figures describe the cited observations, not guaranteed captive deadlines. Unverified stages are deliberately left unset; use the care library and a species-informed breeding plan.

Sources & image credits