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Brown ThornbillAlternative names: "Brown Tit", "Scrub Thornbill" Size: 9.5-10.5 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
There are in total six races of Brown Thornbills - for details see a field guide. Overall they populate the coastal fringe of the Australian east and south-east coast, from about Townsville, QLD, to the VIC/SA border. There is an isolated population (race "zeitzi") in the Adelaide area and Kangaroo Island. Race "albiventris" is found in Tasmania, whereas race "archibaldi" exists only on King Island (in the Bass Strait). Nominate race "pusilla", which is found in coastal VIC, NSW and south QLD, can extend its range far inland, to encompass basically all of VIC and half the east-west width of NSW. Race "dawsonensis" is found along the coast of central QLD.
Brown Thornbills can be found in the undergrowth of various types of forest and woodland.
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Sightings |
Based on their reddish eyes, rufous foreheads and the colour of their rumps, the birds shown in the photos below must be Brown Thornbills.
Nominate race "pusilla" (with buffy yellow underparts) was spotted in November 2006 near Ebor Falls, northern NSW. In September 2011 also seen by us at the mouth of the Manning River, near Old Bar, NSW.
They are also occasionally found where we live, 20 km east of Narrabri, NSW.
Race "pusilla" was also observed by us in March 2008 in the central Flinders Ranges.
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Photos |
Race "pusilla"
Frontal view of a Brown Thornbill
Near-frontal view
Near-lateral view of a Brown Thornbill
Different perspective
Lateral view of a Brown Thornbill
Here a glimpse of the brown rump can be seen
This photo clearly shows the bird's underparts
Brown Thornbill seen from below
Back of a Brown Thornbill, providing a clear view of its brown rump
Brown Thornbill; the forehead is visibly rufous, not black and white as an Inland Thornbill's
View from a slightly different angle, displaying the yellowish underparts
Brown Thornbill chick waiting to be fed
Here a different posture...
... and a lateral view
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Behaviour |
We have repeatedly seen Brown Thornbills moving around with a group also including Yellow Thornbills.
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive | Elementary unit: Family clan |
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Food |
Like several other species of the Acanthiza family, Brown Thornbills hunt for small insects in low shrubs and bushes.
