Splash!

Gouldian finch

The bright splash of a Gouldian finch against the tropical savanna woodland is a rare treat. These tiny finches are increasingly difficult to spot owing to dramatic population decline over the last few decades. Their greatest threats come from widespread hot-burning wildfires and introduced species that consume either the available food supply or the vulnerable finch itself. Happily, this trend does seem to be slowing, or even reversing in recent years, with catching a sign of a finch around Darwin becoming more regular – though not less exciting.

They can be found in pockets across the far north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory in places where they can still access seed and nest safely in tree hollows at key times of year.