Fiery finch named September’s critter

Moorabool Shire Council has named its ‘Critter of the Month’ for September – the eye-catching, aptly named diamond firetail.

The diamond firetail is named for its striking red tail feathers, and is sometimes described as one of the most stunningly coloured finches. Diamond firetails are easy to recognise, with both males and females having red tail feathers and white spotty sides.

A native bird, it is endemic to south-eastern Australia, ranging from the Carnarvon Ranges in Queensland to the Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

It can also be seen in Moorabool – if you’re travelling through the Brisbane Ranges National Park and catch a glimpse of bright red, you might have spotted a diamond firetail.

Diamond firetails favour the drier forests of Moorabool Shire, feeding primarily on seeds. They also occasionally eat insects and their larvae, as well as worms.

To safeguard their eggs and nestlings, diamond firetails often build their nests into the base of larger birds’ nests such as wedge-tailed eagles, nankeen kestrels, and brown falcons.