Carpentarian Grasswren
Amytornis dorotheae
Small, long-tailed, brown-and-black-streaked bird with white throat, rusty flanks, and black moustache. Known from a few small areas from around Borroloola (Northern Territory) to near Mount Isa (Queensland), where large spinifex clumps grow in sandstone outcrops or stony hills. Frequent burning of these areas has made this species very hard to find. Usually seen foraging on the ground in pairs or small groups. Near Mount Isa, there is possible range overlap with Kalkadoon Grasswren (lacks the white throat; more uniformly brown).
Taxonomy
The species was formerly considered to be conspecific with the white-throated grasswren. It is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Amytornis dorotheae
- Authority
- (Mathews, 1914)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Maluridae
- Genus
- Amytornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Feeds on insects and seeds. Forages by searching rock crevices and litter under shrubs on the ground.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Mid-mountain Berrypecker
Melanocharis longicauda
A small bird of mid-montane forest. Fairly thick-bill, yellowish-tinged underparts, yellow tufts on the sides and a long tail with white outer edge. Female is dark olive above and paler below. Male is black above and grayish below. Similar to other berrypeckers but longer-tailed and shorter billed than Black, lacks the orange in the bill of Obscure and shorter-tailed than Fan-tailed. Voice, a high-pitch, jumbled, twittering song and a thin, whispy call.
Blue-headed Coucal
Centropus monachus
Huge coucal with a hefty bill. The head often looks black, but can show a blue sheen. Found close to water in marshes, swamps, and wet scrub. Fairly skulking, though occasionally seen in the open. Massive size is obvious in flight. The call is a slow, deep version of the typical coucal descending and accelerating series of “boop” notes. Very similar to Coppery-tailed Coucal, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and Blue-headed is smaller, with a blue sheen to the head. Similar coloration to Senegal Coucal, but much larger.
Kagu
Rhynochetos jubatus
This unique and charismatic large flightless bird is the flagship species of New Caledonia. Now sadly limited to a handful of locations with high-quality forest. A bit larger than a domestic chicken, but with longer legs and a more upright posture. Overall powdery-blue colored with a large, expressive crest that can be raised or lowered; legs and bill are bright red. Intricate banded pattern in wings normally not visible except during displays. Very noisy, giving a prolonged nasal hooting and cackling series, often in duet, and most vociferously in the pre-dawn hours.
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