Opalton Grasswren
Amytornis rowleyi
Small, long-tailed bird with black moustache and rufous-brown upperparts, found only in the Winton-Opalton area of western Queensland, where it is the only expected grasswren. This species is found in habitat with large spinifex clumps, where it scurries around between clumps. Upperparts rufous-brown, with white throat and pale underparts. Formerly considered a subspecies of Striated Grasswren.
Identification
The Opalton grasswren (Amytornis rowleyi) is an insectivorous bird in the family Maluridae. It is found in the Forsyth Range, Queensland, Australia. Formerly considered a sub-species of the striated grasswren (Amytornis striatus rowleyi), then known as the rusty grasswren. It is found around the opal mining area of Opalton and Lark Quarry south of Winton, Western Queensland. It was named as a full species by the I.O.C. in July 2020.
Taxonomy
Genus: Amytornis; Family: Maluridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Amytornis rowleyi
- Authority
- Schodde & Mason, IJ, 1999
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Maluridae
- Genus
- Amytornis
Photos
Distribution
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