SUMMARYZANN, R. 1977. Pair-bond and bonding behaviour in three species of grassfinches of the genusPoephila(Gould). Emu 77: 97–106.The pair-bonds of pairs of recently caughtP. a. acuticauda, P. a. hecki, P. c. cincta, P. c. atropygialisandP. p. personatawere investigated;P. c. atropygialiswas also studied in the field. All pairs studied except those ofP.p. personatahad extremely tight bonds and may mate for life. Partners maintained close and continuous proximity in space and defended an area about the mate from other conspecifics; mates rarely fought one another but continuously exchanged appeasement displays; all serious sexual activities were restricted to the partner.Pair-formation was studied in forty aviary-reared virgins of which only sixteen were successful in forming pair-bonds during the period of detailed observation although another 20 birds displayed some indication of a unilateral bond towards another bird of the opposite sex. Early stages of courtship, nest-site solicitations and defensive reactions towards rivals characterized pair-formation behaviour. Most preferences between birds of opposite sex were unilateral and most pair-bonds were formed after protracted efforts to develop reciprocal attachments. ElevenP. p. personataattempted to pair but no pairs were formed during the period of detailed study and for one month afterwards.