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.

---

zebra finch British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of zebra finch

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

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

When studying the zebra finch vocal muscles, the team made another very important discovery.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2023

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

It might well mean that the song of male birds says more than "I'm strong and healthy" - it could well say "I'm a strong and healthy pied zebra finch with this and that mutation"...

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2018