Zebra finches. Photo: Jim Bendon (Flickr) / CC BY-SA 2.0
Zebra finches. Photo: Jim Bendon (Flickr) / CC BY-SA 2.0

With its distinctive red bill, the zebra finch is one of the easiest finches to spot in Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa.

These boisterous birds use their stout bill to crush seeds. They also boast a very loud singing voice for their size!

Tjukurpa stories tell of the great travels of these bird ancestors, and a nyii-nyii ceremony is an important part of Aṉangu cultural life.

Zebra finches inhabit a wide range of grasslands and forests but like to stay close to water. They are usually found in open areas with scattered bushes and trees. Look for them darting about on the Kuniya walk to Muṯitjulu Waterhole.

Scientific name

Taeniopygia guttata

Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara name

nyii-nyii