Neochmia is a genus of estrildid finches found in Australasia. They are gregarious seed-eaters with short, thick, but pointed bills.
Taxonomy The genus Neochmia was introduced in 1849 by the English zoologist George Gray with Fringilla phaeton Hombron & Jacquinot, the crimson finch as the type species. For the publication date see The genus name is from Ancient Greek νεοχμια/neokhmia meaning "innovation" or "phenomenon".
The genus contains two species:
Image Scientific name Common name Distribution Red-browed finch Neochmia temporalis Northern Queensland, and south-east of Australia Crimson finch Neochmia phaeton Northern Australia with some residing in New Guinea
References
Further reading Clement, Harris and Davis, Finches and Sparrows