Emblema is a genus of estrildid finches found in Australasia. They are gregarious seed-eaters with short, thick, but pointed bills.
Taxonomy The genus Emblema was introduced in 1842 by the English ornithologist John Gould to accommodate a single species, Emblema picta Gould, the painted finch. The 7 volumes were published in 36 parts. For the date see: The genus name is from Latin emblema, emblematis meaning "inlaid" or "mosaic work".
The genus contains three species:
Image Common name Scientific name DistributionPainted finchEmblema pictumnorthern Australia (Pilbara region, including Barrow Island, central Western Australia, eastward to northwestern Queensland)Star finchEmblema ruficaudanorthwest to northeast (formerly central east) AustraliaPlum-headed finchEmblema modestumeastern Australia (northern Queensland to central New South Wales)
References