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Small songbird with short, fine bill.
NSW: Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilyCuckooshrikes
SizeSmall
RarityCommon
HabitatGrassland, Herbaceous Graminoids Sparse Hummock Grasses, Open woodland, Sparse woodland, and Woody Trees Scattered
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from July to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
11385visible hotspots
101143visible records
6states
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
Breeding males have black crown and back, white underparts, black wings with bold white wing panels, and black tail with white tip. In nonbreeding plumage crown and back brown, with pale-edged feathers in dark upperwing. Female similar to nonbreeding male.
Behavior
Inhabits lightly wooded areas, especially eucalypt, foraging in pairs or small flocks in the mid- to upper story. Song is a loud, clear series of notes that descend and accelerate into a trill.
Gallery