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Chestnut-rumped HeathwrenAlternative names: "Heath-wren", "Chestnut-rumped Ground-wren", "Chestnut-tailed Ground-wren", "Scrub-warbler" Size: 13-14 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
The three races of Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens are found only in the south-eastern part of the Australian continent. Race "pedleri" is found only in a small patch east of Port Augusta, SA. Race "parkeri" is found in Adelaide and in an area up to 150 km north of town. Nominate race "pyrrhopygius" is the most widespread by far, from about the SA/VIC border to the NSW/QLD border. They are not normally found in the Canberra, ACT. They are not found north of the Clarence River, NSW.
Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens can usually be found in heath or dense undergrowth of open woodland, also at high altitude.
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Sightings |
A juvenile Chestnut-rumped Heathwren was first spotted by us in October 2008, 30 km east of Narrabri, in dense underbrush under whitebox eucalypt trees. Unfortunately there was no possibility to take a photo.
Although not far from the spot of the first sighting, an adult bird was seen in a different location in November 2008. There is absolutely no doubt about the identification, since the bird passed us at a distance of just 2 m, but still we did not manage to obtain a photo in the dense underbrush.
Subsequently seen again in April 2011 in Mt. Kaputar National Park, in open heath country at an altitude of 1300 m on a cold and windy autumn morning. A pair was spotted at the same location in October 2011.
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Photos |
Near-lateral view of a male Chestnut-rumped Heathwren observed on the western side of the Great Dividing Range
Lateral view of a bird foraging in dense underbrush
The same bird above, now in better light and with its head turned;
this appears to be a male
This dorsal view shows clearly the chestnut-coloured rump
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Sedentary | Elementary unit: Solitary/pair |
