The owl finch, also known as Bicheno's finch, is a 10-11 cm long munia-like bird found in dry savannah, tropical (lowland) dry grassland, and shrubland habitats in northern and eastern Australia. It is the only species found in the finch genus and is distinguished by its white face bordered with black, brown upperparts and throat, and white underparts. Juveniles are duller and browner, but the sexes are similar. The subspecies S. b. annulosa is easily recognizable by its black rump, which differs from the white rump of the nominate subspecies.