Breeding males may display a cinnamon colour.
At a glance
Sounds
Range map
Range map
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Males grayish with brown-edged feathers above, and very dark gray belly, breast, and face in breeding plumage. Female smaller, similar to nonbreeding male. Perches on fence posts. Distinctive song a scratchy five-note phrase.
Behavior
Distinctive display flight: male climbs high in the air, then parachutes down with wings held up at an angle and with legs dangling. Found across much of Australia, less common in the southeast in drier agricultural and open grassland areas.
Gallery