Patterns of drinking behaviour of some Australian estrildine finches

Descriptions are given of patterns of drinking behaviour in seven estrildine finches, all of which are common in the Kimberley, northern Australia. Those species which foraged in areas adjacent to waterholes, N. ruficauda, P. acuticauda, P. bichenovii, P. personata and T. guttata , drank at them throughout most daylight hours but C. gouldiae and L. pectoralis , which foraged at greater distances, normally visited them only once in the early morning. Drinking birds are at high risk of predation and probably gain anti‐predator advantages by aggregating in mixed‐species groups while drinking. This is due, at least in part, to inter‐specific facilitation of behaviour. Individuals interrupt the act of drinking periodically to scan their surroundings.