What key morphological difference separates the Australian Zebra Finch (*T. castanotis*) from the Sunda Zebra Finch (*T. guttata*)?

Answer

Australian male has fine throat/breast barring, Sunda male has greatly reduced barring

Although both *T. castanotis* (Australian Zebra Finch) and *T. guttata* (Sunda Zebra Finch) belong to the genus *Taeniopygia* and were officially recognized as separate species in 2016, they possess distinct morphological differences beyond their geographical separation. While the Australian species is generally noted as being larger, the most consistent visual distinction in the males relates to throat patterning. The male Australian Zebra Finch exhibits fine black barring on the throat and upper breast area. In contrast, the male Sunda Zebra Finch typically shows greatly reduced barring on the throat and breast, sometimes retaining only a thin black breast band.

What key morphological difference separates the Australian Zebra Finch (*T. castanotis*) from the Sunda Zebra Finch (*T. guttata*)?

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