Southern Whiteface
Aphelocephala leucopsis
Small bird with stubby bill. Upperparts grayish brown, underparts whitish, with varying amounts of reddish-brown tone in flanks. White upperparts extend above the bill, hence the name. Inhabits drier open woodlands and shrublands in southern Australia, where often forages on the ground in small flocks.
Identification
The southern whiteface is a stocky thornbill-like bird with a brown dorsum, white belly, dark brown wings and a black tail with narrow white tip. A grey wash on the belly is sometimes present, along with a grey or rufous tinge to the flanks. This species displays the characteristic facial markings of the genus; a white band across the forehead, with a darker streak along the top edge. Adult birds are approximately 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length with a cream coloured eye, grey legs and a stubby dark grey bill of finch-like appearance. Adults are sexually monomorphic, while juveniles are distinguishable due to a lack of black rear band on the face. Call is a rapid, noisy twittering tchip-tchip-chiptchipt-chipt-chip or tzip-tzip-tziptzip and a harsher kzzurrk, kzzurrk-kzzurrk in alarm.<p>This species can be distinguished from other whiteface species by its somewhat duller appearance and lack of a breast band, which both the banded whiteface and chestnut-breasted whiteface possess.<p>The southern whiteface is a polytypic species with two recognised races:
Taxonomy
Originally classified as genus Xerophila, the whitefaces were later reclassified when it was noted that a group of molluscs had already been ascribed that name and thus, are now listed as genus Aphelocephala. There are three species within the Aphelocephala, including the southern whiteface, banded whiteface (A. nigricincta) and chestnut-breasted whiteface (A. pectoralis). The generic name derives from the Ancient Greek apheles 'simple' and kephale 'head'. The specific epithet derives from Ancient Greek leukos 'white' and opsis 'face'. Recent phylogenetic study has found whitefaces to be most closely related to the scrubtit (Acanthornis magnus), a monotypic Tasmanian species similar in appearance to Sericornis scrubwrens. The marked difference in the size and shape of the whiteface beak compared with that of the scrubtit has been attributed to an increased dietary intake of seeds, requiring a more robust bill.
- Scientific name
- Aphelocephala leucopsis
- Authority
- (Gould, 1841)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acanthizidae
- Genus
- Aphelocephala
Range and habitat
The southern whiteface is endemic to Australia and typically inhabits arid open woodlands with a shrubby or grassy understory, as well as grass plains throughout much of the continents south. Not present in Tasmania or in coastal areas of the mainland, this species prefers Acacia woodlands, particularly those dominated by mulga and drought-resistant chenopod shrub species, including saltbush and bluebush. They are considered sedentary; however, atlas records indicate that individuals may move into wetter areas outside of their normal range during drought years.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Finn's Weaver
Ploceus megarhynchus
Range-restricted weaver with a powerful dark bill. Male is predominantly yellow with a dark cheek patch. Female is streaky brown above and paler below; lacks the strong streaking and facial patterns of Streaked and Black-breasted Weavers. Female Finn’s is similar to female Baya Weaver, but note the darker coloration, lack of a pale brow stripe, and heavier, sharper-looking bill in female Finn’s. Inhabits open areas with scattered trees; favors wet areas. Colonial nester; males build ball-shaped nests, often in cotton trees.
Bolivian Recurvebill
Syndactyla striata
Unique foliage-gleaner of dense bamboo in humid montane forest from low to mid elevations in the east slopes of the Andes. Despite its name, the bill is only very slightly recurved. Most easily found by its long, dry song. Generally in primary forest, far from human settlement, singly or in pairs. Tends to stay on small territories for long periods. From other foliage gleaners by rufous throat and supercilium, even streaking below, and straight culmen. Song a long series of accelerating but slightly sputtering dry “cak” notes.
Painted Spurfowl
Galloperdix lunulata
Slightly smaller than a domestic chicken. The brightly colored male is unmistakable with dense white spots while the female is more drab brown overall. This is a bird of the rocky and scrub forest habitats in the Indian peninsula and is mostly found in pairs or in small groups. Birds are generally shy and not very vocal unlike other members of the family. When disturbed, they scuttle through the undergrowth and rarely take to the wing. It give a loud, rapidly repeated “chur, chur, chur” and the male also gives a bubbling, clucking “chugak” when flushed.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.