Neochmia ruficauda

The star finch (Neochmia ruficauda) is a bird species found in northern Australia. An estrildid finch, between 4.5—5 inches in length, with crimson fore-parts of the head and a scarlet bill. The upper and lower plumage is yellow-green, white spotted on the underparts, the belly more yellow. The upper tail coverts are scarlet, tail feathers are brownish scarlet. The female has less crimson on the head, and generally duller than the male, the immature star finch is olive to brownish with a grey face and head. Found in northern coastal regions of Australia, occurring at sparsely wooded habitat of tall grass or rushes around creeks and swamps. Synonyms for Neochmia ruficauda include Poephila ruficauda and Bathilda ruficauda.The species is also referred to as red-faced firetail, red-tailed finch, or ruficauda finch.