Gray Grasswren
Amytornis barbatus
Small, pale, streaky bird with long cocked tail, a floodplain specialist with a highly restricted range. In dry years, it stays almost exclusively in habitat dominated by thick Lignum shrub (distinctive tangled floodplain shrub). In wetter years, it ventures into surrounding habitats. Upperparts pale brown, underparts pale with buff wash on belly; fine black-and-white streaking on the breast and head. In addition to black eyeline, there is a bridlelike black "Y" shape on cheek and chin. Unlikely to be seen without deliberate, specific search. Call is a high-pitched, metallic twittering.
Identification
The grey grasswren is a small bird with a length ranging between 18 and 20 cm, a wing span of approximately 21 cm and a weight between 15 and 23 g. Its general colour is ginger-brown suffused with grey and off-white striations. Schrodde and Christidis recorded that "the face is patterned black and white with broad white superciliary stripe and black stripe from lores through eyes linked to thin black malar line around sides of throat; tail greatly attenuated with tapered rectrices, the center pair of which extend > 5mm beyond the adjacent pair; no sexual dimorphism in colour of flanks or belly". Juvenile color is duller although similar to the adults and with no distinct facial pattern. Moult is poorly understood but thought to occur annually after breeding and between October and December.<p>Favaloro and McEvey described the call of the grey grasswren as a soft double-syllable note which the bird tweeted persistently. Joseph also noted that calls were given constantly over several minutes with a series of three or four high pitched metallic notes, sounding like pit-choo. Carpenter described the call as a high pitched sit-sit-sit.
Taxonomy
The grey grasswren is classified in the family Maluridae which comprises five genera of birds that are found only in Australia and New Guinea.<p>Two subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Amytornis barbatus
- Authority
- Favaloro & McEvey, 1968
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Maluridae
- Genus
- Amytornis
Range and habitat
The grey grasswren occupies a restrictive area of arid inland floodplains of central Australia. Sightings have occurred at the Bulloo Overflow in the New South Wales/Queensland border area, lower Cooper Creek, along the Kallakoopah anabranch of the Diamantina River and the overflow areas of lakes Machattie, Koolivoo and Mipea on Eyre Creek in South Australia.These birds frequent mainly floodplains of the above systems which contain areas dominated by lignum and cane grass on major drainage lines between resident sand dunes. In some swampy areas, a dense understory of spike-rush, channel millet, and sedges are present. The grey grasswren has also been known to occupy open vegetative areas well beyond the lignum swamps which are less subject to inundation during flood events. It appears that in drought years the grey grasswren occupies tall dense lignum as a refuge while in normal years it prefers other habitats. Hardy recorded significantly more captures in declared drought years than in normal years.<p>During 2011, an extensive grey grasswren survey was conducted at Frome Swamp in New South Wales which had recently experienced substantial rainfall and resultant lignum and cane grass growth. Despite the use of exhaustive surveys using mist netting, playback, vocal and visual methods, no grey grasswrens were located. This result could suggest that the species may be nomadic, an observation previously made by Hardy arising from his surveys in 2002 and 2003 at another location.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Bare-eyed Pigeon
Patagioenas corensis
Large, pale pigeon, unmistakeable if seen well, with large pale blue ocular ring and prominent white wing patches. Occurs in pairs or in small to large groups; mainly seen in trees, tops of cactuses, or in flight. Locally common in desert scrub, dry forests, and mangroves. Voice a very low “cooooo, tuk-tu-kUUuu, tuk-tu-kUUuu,” similar to other pigeons. The only pigeon with white wing patches in arid regions in its range.
Oriole Whistler
Pachycephala orioloides
A brightly colored songbird with a bright golden belly, a black hood and chest band, and an olive upperside and wings. Throat is a golden yellow. Population on Vella Lavella and Ranongga is mostly black with a golden throat, belly, and undertail. Birds on the Russell Islands are entirely golden, brighter below. Some birds on Guadalcanal are entirely cinnamon with a brownish “shawl” and a buffy belly. Mostly inhabits primary forest, but wanders into gardens and village edges. Voice includes a mix of flute-like whistles and squeaks with loud far-carrying whipcrack notes repeated.
Curve-billed Reedhaunter
Limnornis curvirostris
Odd-looking wren-like bird with a cinnamon back and white underparts. Note the white eyebrow and the obvious curved bill. Found in marshes with extensive reedbeds, where it usually forages singly. Sings a fast series of harsh ascending notes that descends towards the end.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.