The painted finch acquired its name due to the red and white spotted and mottled underparts of both males and females.

[7][8] The painted finch belongs to the family Estrildidae which consists of small passerine birds that occur naturally in the old world including Africa, southern Asia and Australasia.

Male painted finches have a red forehead and face that stand out in contrast to the black breast of individuals.

[10][11] Females look similar to males, although the red colouration on the face is duller and is restricted to the lores, cheeks and around the eyes.

Juveniles lack the red colouration on their face and their bill is black which becomes paler and almost pinkish on the lower part.

[10][11][12][13] Painted finches are generally less vocal than other Australian grassfinches; however, its calls are among the loudest and harshest of this species group.

Individuals forage on the ground, hopping and bouncing among rocks and tussocks of grass in order to glean for fallen seeds.

[3][4] Captive birds have seen to sally-strike flying termites and glean aphids from vegetation; however, feeding on insects in the wild has not been observed.

The nest is often lined with feathers, plant down, hairy seeds, grass, wool, fur or balls of fluff.

[10] The painted finch is found in arid and semi-arid zones, in rocky areas with a ground cover of spinifex grass.