zebra finch

American  

noun

1. a small Australian waxbill, Poephila guttata, that has black-and-white barred plumage and a chestnut ear patch: popular as a cage bird.

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zebra finch British  

noun

1. any of various Australasian songbirds with zebra-like markings, such as the grassfinch Poephila castanotis

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Etymology

Origin of zebra finch

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zebra finch

However, experiments in birds like the zebra finch help provide some answers as to why this species sings.

From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2025

After the eggs hatched, the baby birds received one of two treatments—road noise or zebra finch song—for another 9 nights.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 24, 2024

"After chasing dozens of them, the real winners were from birds," Collins said, including the zebra finch and the white-throated sparrow.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 20, 2024

For the 2017 discovery, he had submitted a feather, found in a zebra finch nest in Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary in South Australia, as proof of the parrot's presence in the remote region.

From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2019

I've had several generations of zebra finch, whom I love for their mischievous ways and fun personalities.

From New York Times ● Feb. 13, 2018