North-eastern Western Australia (eastern Kimberley) and north-western Northern Territory (northern and western Top End east, discontinuously, to eastern Alligator R and Elsey National Park).
Population
Estimated population is 20,000 (2010).
Status LC
Reasons for decline not known. Degradation of habitat by stock is a possible threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
In pairs or flocks, often in the company of, and inter-breeding with, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin (Lonchura castaneothorax).
Food
Seeds of grasses. During the breeding season also insects.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
BirdLife International Species Factsheet