Western Bristlebird

Dasyornis longirostris

Small, long-tailed terrestrial bird of dense coastal heath in a very restricted portion of southwestern Western Australia. Grayish brown with pale streaking above, similar but lighter pattern below, with dark red eye, reddish wing, pale moustachial marks, and long, graduated rusty tail. Dark bristles around bill give this species its name. Calls include a chirpy whistled "chip-too-too-peetle-pet.”

Identification

Adults are 18–22 cm long. Its plumage is grey-brown. It has a shorter tail than other bristlebirds, yet it is still quite long tail is rufous, with darker brown stripes. Its body is rufous with dark brown under-surface feathers, giving it a scalloped look. It has a red eye, and the front of neck and face is off-white.<p>Its natural habitat is temperate shrubland, particularly low, dense shrubland. It prefers coastal dunes and cliffs.It is threatened by habitat loss.<p>It can survive fire and relocate to the fire boundary, and will occupy regrowth when this becomes suitable. It occurs more rapidly in higher-rainfall areas.

Taxonomy

Genus: Dasyornis; Family: Dasyornithidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Dasyornis longirostris
Authority
Gould, 1841
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Dasyornithidae
Genus
Dasyornis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Cabanis's Greenbul

Cabanis's Greenbul

Phyllastrephus cabanisi

Typically dull mid-sized greenbul with a long bill and tail. There is geographical variation, with the western birds more yellowish below, and the eastern birds more whitish. Usually shows a distinctive pale eye-ring. Found in the thick undergrowth and mid-story of forest at middle and high elevations, usually in small groups. The call starts with slow and chatty notes, then accelerates into a grating, up-and-down series. Somewhat similar to Gray-olive Greenbul, but larger, with a darker bill and legs and usually some yellowish tones on the underparts. Similar to brownbuls, but more olive-green on the back and yellowish below.

Green-throated Euphonia

Green-throated Euphonia

Euphonia chalybea

Tiny bird with a strong thick bill and a short tail. Males are mostly glossy dark greenish-blue with a yellow band on the forehead and are entirely yellow below. Females are olive-green above with gray sides to the head and on the center of the breast and belly with yellow flanks. Inhabits the canopy of humid forests and forests edges; often accompanying mixed-species flocks. The song is a fast series of squeaky notes.

Raso Skylark

Raso Skylark

Alauda razae

Found only on Raso Island of the Cape Verdes. Overall grayish-brown and moderately streaked including the breast. Note the large and heavy bill. Sometimes erects small crest. Belongs to the same genus as Eurasian Skylark, but is smaller with shorter wings and tail than Eurasian Skylark. Found along dry riverbeds on flat plains. Song is similar to that of Crested Lark. Call a short rattle, "Chureep."

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