Last updated: October 2026
Written by Ash and the Birdsville team. Ash has watched Double Barred Finches in the wild in tropical north Queensland.

The Double Barred Finch, also called the Double Bar Finch or owl finch, is a small, gentle Australian finch with a white face ringed in black and two black bars across its chest. Double Bars are hardy, peaceful and easy to keep, which makes them a great finch for beginners and a lovely addition to a mixed aviary. They eat a quality finch seed mix with greens, sprouted seed, grit and some live food, and they breed well in wicker nests and finch nest boxes. This page covers where Double Barred Finches come from, how to tell males from females, housing, diet, breeding and how to keep them healthy. Birdsville in Alexandria stocks everything you need to keep them.

 

Double Barred Finch Key Takeaways

Double Barred Finches are small, peaceful Australian finches, also known as Double Bar Finches or owl finches.
They’re hardy and easy to keep, making them a great choice for beginners.
Double Barred Finches eat finch seed, millet sprays, sprouted seed, greens, grit, egg and biscuit, and some live food.
They are hard to sex, but males usually have thicker chest bars and a wider crown.
Hens lay 4 to 5 white eggs that hatch in about 13 days, and the young fledge at around 21 days.
Keep Double Bars away from Zebra Finches, as the two can crossbreed.
Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary is our recommended seed for Double Barred Finches.
Birdsville at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria stocks the seed, supplements and nesting supplies Double Barred Finches need.

 

Double Barred Finch Quick Facts

Scientific name: Stizoptera bichenovii (formerly Taeniopygia bichenovii)
Other names: Double Bar Finch, Bicheno’s Finch, owl finch
Size: about 10 to 11cm long
Lifespan: about 6 to 7 years with good care
Native range: northern and eastern Australia, from the Kimberley to New South Wales
Habitat: scrub, open woodland and grassy plains, usually near water
Subspecies: white rumped (eastern Australia) and black rumped (northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory)
Temperament: placid and peaceful
Experience level: beginner friendly
Clutch: 4 to 5 white eggs
Incubation: about 13 days
Sexual maturity: about 9 months

 

 

 

Where Do Double Barred Finches Come From?

Double Barred Finches are native to northern and eastern Australia, from the coast of New South Wales inland as far as the Murray River and across the tropical north.

They live in scrub, open woodland and grassy plains, and they’re rarely far from water. The white rumped form is found from northern Queensland to south eastern New South Wales, while the black rumped form lives in northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Birds in Backyards (https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Taeniopygia-bichenovii) has more on the Double Barred Finch in the wild.

Seeing Double Barred Finches in the Wild

When Ash lived in the tropical north, he would go bird watching at Davies Creek near Kuranda in Queensland. He usually saw Double Barred Finches on their own or in small parties of two, and true to finch nature, every time he spotted them he was close to water.

How Do You Tell a Male Double Barred Finch From a Female?

Double Barred Finches are difficult to sex, but the male usually has thicker black barring across the chest and a wider crown than the hen.

Compare the tops of the heads of several birds side by side, as cock birds often have a broader crown. Aviculture Hub (https://www.aviculturehub.com.au/double-barred-finch) notes that males are generally slightly larger, with a wider, straighter black band around the face, while hens tend to have a narrower band. DNA testing is the only way to be completely sure.

How Do You House Double Barred Finches?

Double Barred Finches do well in a long flight cage, a breeding cabinet or an aviary, and like all birds, the bigger the space the better.

Keep them in pairs or small groups, never alone. Give them a sheltered, draught free area, as they come from warmer parts of Australia, and natural shrubs or branches for perching and cover. Double Bars are peaceful birds that mix well with other calm finches such as Gouldians, star finches, painted finches and cordon bleu waxbills. Don’t house them with Zebra Finches, as the two species can crossbreed. Our guide to finch cages and aviaries (https://birdsville.net.au/finch-cages-aviaries/) covers cage size, bar spacing and aviary setup in detail.

What Do Double Barred Finches Eat?

Double Barred Finches eat a quality finch seed mix, plus millet sprays, sprouted seed, greens, grit, egg and biscuit, live food and a regular vitamin boost.

Seed

A good quality seed mix is the most important part of the diet. Our first choice is Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-finch-canary-500g), made fresh in store, and Basic Finch Mix (https://petsville.com.au/products/avigrain-seed-finch-blue-2kg) is a good everyday option. Be wary of some supermarket seed mixes, which contain filler seed and are low grade. If you’re unsure about the mix you’re using, ask your local bird expert. Our Finch Seed page (https://birdsville.net.au/seeds-grains/finch-seed/) has more.

Millet Sprays

Millet sprays are fresh seed still on the stem and a great addition for finches. We stock a couple of varieties at Birdsville, and the one we most recommend for finches is French white millet. Hang Millet Sprays (https://petsville.com.au/products/millet-sprays-mixed-100g) in a Millet Spray Holder (https://petsville.com.au/products/jw-insight-feeder-millet-spray-holder) to keep them clean.

Sprouted Seed

Sprouted seed is a healthy fresh food for Double Bars. Always wash it thoroughly with Vetafarm Aviclens (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-aviclens-water-cleanser-100ml) before feeding it to your birds. Our Best Bird Treats page (https://birdsville.net.au/bird-treats-tips-and-sprouted-mix/) explains how to sprout seed.

Grit

Offer a good quality shell grit (https://petsville.com.au/products/shell-grit-5kg) with limestone, charcoal, crushed egg shell, shell and crushed cuttlebone in its own dish.

Egg and Biscuit

Egg and biscuit formula, such as Shep’s Egg and Biscuit (https://petsville.com.au/products/sheps-egg-biscuit-500g), adds protein and is especially important for breeding birds and young finches.

Greens

Offer greens such as seeding grasses, Lebanese cucumber, chickweed and endive.

Live Food

Live food such as mealworms, fly pupae or termites gives Double Bars extra protein, especially when they’re raising chicks. Dust or mix it with an insectivore mix such as Vetafarm Insectivore Rearing Mix (https://petsville.com.au/products/wombaroo-insectivore-rearing-mix-250g).

Vitamins

A vitamin supplement is an important addition to the health and vitality of captive finches, and every finch benefits from a regular vitamin boost. Always add vitamins such as Vetafarm Multivet (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-multivet-50ml) to the water, not the seed, because finches shell their seed as they eat and the vitamins end up in the husks.

How Do You Breed Double Barred Finches?

Double Barred Finches breed readily in wicker nests and finch nest boxes in aviaries or breeding cabinets, laying 4 to 5 white eggs per clutch.

The eggs hatch after about 13 days, and the young fledge at around 21 days. They aren’t self sufficient for a further 4 weeks or so, when they’re fully weaned onto seed. Double Bars take about 9 months to become sexually mature. They will breed all year round, but less often in the colder months. Provide soft nesting material such as Swamp Grass (https://petsville.com.au/products/breeders-delight-nesting-material-swamp-grass-50g), extra egg and biscuit, and live food while they’re raising young. Vetafarm Finch and Budgie Crumbles (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-finch-budgie-crumbles-450g) are also useful for breeding pairs.

How Do You Keep Double Barred Finches Healthy?

Keep Double Barred Finches healthy with a varied diet, clean water every day, a draught free home and regular cleaning.

Change water and seed daily, clean the cage or aviary weekly with a bird safe disinfectant, and check for holes and rat holes every month. Keep new birds in a separate cage for 2 weeks before they join your others. A finch that sits fluffed up and quiet may be unwell, so see an avian vet. Our Common Bird Illnesses page (https://birdsville.net.au/common-bird-illnesses/) lists the warning signs.

How Does Sydney’s Weather Affect Double Barred Finches?

Double Barred Finches cope well with Sydney’s weather, but they need shelter from cold winter nights and shade on hot summer days.

In winter, give them a covered, draught free area and cover indoor cages at night. They breed less in the colder months, so don’t worry if a pair slows down. In summer, make sure they always have shade and plenty of fresh water, and a shallow bathing dish helps them cool off. In the wild, Double Bars are almost always found near water, so they love a bath.

A Tip From Our Staff

Double Barred Finches are never far from water in the wild. Every time Ash spotted them at Davies Creek near Kuranda, he was close to water, so give yours a shallow dish of clean bathing water and change it every day. A finch that can bathe keeps its feathers in great condition.

Double Barred Finch Frequently Asked Questions

Are Double Barred Finches good for beginners?

Yes, Double Barred Finches are one of the best finches for beginners. They’re hardy, peaceful and easy to care for, and they get on well with other calm finches. Keep them in pairs or small groups in a long flight cage or aviary, and feed a quality finch seed mix with greens and grit.

How do you tell male and female Double Barred Finches apart?

Double Barred Finches are hard to sex. Males usually have thicker black chest bars, a slightly larger body and a wider crown on top of the head. Compare several birds side by side to spot the differences. DNA testing is the only way to know for certain whether a bird is male or female.

What do Double Barred Finches eat?

Double Barred Finches eat a quality finch seed mix, millet sprays, sprouted seed, greens such as seeding grasses and chickweed, shell grit, egg and biscuit, and some live food like mealworms. Add vitamins to their water regularly. Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary is our recommended seed for Double Bars.

How long do Double Barred Finches live?

Double Barred Finches usually live about 6 to 7 years with good care. A quality diet, clean water, a draught free home and plenty of space all help them live a long and healthy life. Regular cleaning and keeping new birds apart for two weeks helps prevent illness spreading.

Can Double Barred Finches live with Zebra Finches?

It’s best not to keep Double Barred Finches with Zebra Finches, because the two species are closely related and can crossbreed. Double Bars mix well with other calm finches, such as Gouldians, star finches, painted finches and cordon bleu waxbills, in a well planted aviary with plenty of space.

When do Double Barred Finches breed?

Double Barred Finches can breed all year round, but they breed less often in the colder months. They become sexually mature at about 9 months old. Hens lay 4 to 5 white eggs that hatch in around 13 days, and the young fledge at about 21 days old.

Where Can I Buy Double Barred Finch Supplies in Sydney?

Birdsville stocks everything you need to keep Double Barred Finches, from finch seed and millet sprays to nesting material and vitamins, at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney. Visit us or call (02) 9669 1766, and our team will help you with diet, housing and breeding advice. We’re open 9:30am to 5:30pm weekdays, 10am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday, with directions on our Contact page (https://birdsville.net.au/contact-birdsville/). Follow us on TikTok ([ADD TIKTOK LINK]), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BirdsvilleRosebery/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/petsvillesydney/) for live updates and finch care tips.

Petsville (https://petsville.com.au/) ships finch seed and supplies anywhere in Australia, including our Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary. Seed can’t be sent to WA or Tasmania because of quarantine laws.

Popular Double Barred Finch supplies on Petsville:

Birdsville Blends Finch and Canary (https://petsville.com.au/products/birdsville-blends-finch-canary-500g)
Millet Sprays (https://petsville.com.au/products/millet-sprays-mixed-100g)
Shep’s Egg and Biscuit (https://petsville.com.au/products/sheps-egg-biscuit-500g)
Shell Grit (https://petsville.com.au/products/shell-grit-5kg)
Swamp Grass Nesting Material (https://petsville.com.au/products/breeders-delight-nesting-material-swamp-grass-50g)
Vetafarm Multivet (https://petsville.com.au/products/vetafarm-multivet-50ml)

About Birdsville

Birdsville has been at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015 since 1985, and we believe we’re now the oldest bricks and mortar bird shop still trading in Australia. Owner Ash brings experience from vet clinics and from the Rainforest Habitat in Port Douglas, now Wildlife Habitat. We’re a small business that does things in a big way, and we keep our products the best of the best.

Sources

Wild range and habitat: Birds in Backyards, Double-barred Finch
Lifespan, sexing, subspecies and mixing with other finches: Aviculture Hub, Double-barred Finch
Size and current scientific name: Wikipedia, Double-barred Finch
Wild observations, sexing, breeding and diet: Ash and the Birdsville team
Product details: Petsville product listings