There are three subspecies of Star Finch, being: Southern Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda, Western Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda subclarescens and Cape York Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda clarescens (data of Schodde and Mason 1999, and myself).They vary in dimensions and plumage patterns. See Schodde and Mason 1999 for details.

The Southern Star Finch is probably on the verge of extinction with no currently known populations and only a handful of recent scattered records (a). The Western Star Finch occurs in a number of probably disjunct populations. The most easterly population on the Macarthur River has gone unrecorded in recent years. The status of the Star Finch in the northern regions of the Northern Territory remains unclear derspite the seemingly large number of records.

Relevant Literature

(a) Holmes, G. 1996. Distribution and status of the Southern Star Finch. Sunbird, 26, 49-59.

(a) Holmes, G. 1998. A Review of the Distribution, status & ecology of the Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda in Queensland. Australian Bird Watcher. 17, 278-289.

(b) Schodde, R. & Mason, I.J. 1999. The Directory of Australian Birds, CSIRO

Western Star Finch, Kununurra, WA. Females have larger more densely packed spots than the males. Note also the reduced red on the face, particularly under the chin.