/
Small, long-tailed, brown-and-black-streaked bird with white throat, rusty flanks, and black moustache.
Endangered
Endemic to Australia
At a glance
FamilyFairywrens
SizeTiny
RarityRare
HabitatDense shrubs, grassy margins, scrub, hedgerows, and low cover near open feeding patches.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from May.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Louis Masarei
Range map
Range map
83visible hotspots
520visible records
1states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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
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.
Behavior
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).
Gallery