Tail held downward (not cocked like Pilotbird).
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Cataract-Bird, Cave-Bird, Rock-Robin, Origma, Sandstone Robin, Hanging Dick
At a glance
FamilyThornbills and Allies
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
Habitatclosed forest, open woodland, sparse woodland, grassland, and waterbodies
Best timeReported across most months in New South Wales, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
303visible hotspots
8907visible records
1states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
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
This species hops around on rocky boulders and cliffs, flicking its tail from side to side.
Behavior
Brown above, reddish brown below, with paler throat.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Chestnut-rumped HeathwrenHylacola pyrrhopygiaCompare Shy Heathwren, which has a white wing spot, more black in wing, and darker legs.→Yellow-throated ScrubwrenNeosericornis citreogularisSmall rainforest bird with yellow throat patch. Primarily olive brown with yellow edges to the primaries. Has a dark face with a pale streak above the eye. Inhabits rainforest habitats on the east coast of Australia.→White-browed ScrubwrenSericornis frontalisHas a dark face with a clear white eyebrow and chin stripe. Primarily olive-brown with a black-and-white shoulder patch and paler front. Chin is white with varying levels of black streaking depending on the location. This species is widespread across eastern coastal Australia, but is absent in the northern areas. Western edge of its expected distribution is the Mt Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide. Found in a wide range of habitats but typically only present where there is reasonably thick undergrowth.→