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Typically very shy and difficult to observe.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
At a glance
FamilyWhipbirds and Wedgebills
SizeMedium
RarityUncommon
HabitatCoastlines, harbours, offshore waters, estuaries, headlands, beaches, and large inland water when conditions suit.
Best timeMost reliable in Western Australia from September to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Louis Masarei
Range map
Range map
105visible hotspots
1736visible records
3states
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
Medium-sized gray terrestrial bird with long tail and pointed crest, found in thick heath and dense bushland of southwestern Australia and in ranges of southern South Australia. Plumage mostly gray, with pale tail tips and greenish tones in the wing. Black throat bordered by broad white moustache. Calls are long, rolling, whistled phrases.
Behavior
Breeding occurs in spring. The nest is a bowl of twigs and sticks lined with softer material such as grasses, located in shrubs or trees less than 1–2 m (3–7 ft) above the ground.
Gallery