FINCH
				Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Aves Passeriformes Fringillidae Taeniopygia guttata (zebra)

These colorful little birds are seed eaters with a stout, pointed, and sharp-edged bill. There are many different species of finch, not all of which come from the Fringillidae family. Most finches are sociable birds found in flocks outside the breeding season. They live in trees and shrubs, coming down frequently to the ground to feed.

One of the most recent mutations of finch is the popular zebra finch. Indigenous to Australia, they are beautifully decorated with a bright orange bill, rosy-red cheeks, various zebra stripes around the head, brown and white side feathers dotted with white spots, and white underparts.

Finches are found throughout the world. Many species take part in long migrations, nesting in the warmer, more northern summer climates and wintering in the tropics. Others travel much shorter distances, their movements determined more by availability of food than an inbuilt urge to travel. Yet, others move from higher to lower altitudes in winter. Female finches are mainly responsible for building the nest, incubating the eggs, and caring for the young. The majority of species build simple, cup-shaped nests and the eggs are usually pale-colored, from white to a light blue.