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Chestnut-rumped Thornbill

(Acanthiza uropygialis)
Alternative names: "Chestnut-tailed Thornbill", "Chestnut-rumped Tit", "Chestnut-rumped Tit-Warbler"
Size: 9-10 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Chestnut-rumped Thornbills live in the semi-arid interior of the Australian continent, outside the tropics. They are not found in the most arid parts of the continent (the Gibson, Great Victoria and Simpson deserts and the Nullarbor), and not along the south-east or south coast of WA or the south coast of VIC and the east coast either. THey also stay outside the Great Dividing Range, remaining in the drier interior.

Chestnut-rumped Thornbills are usually found in dry woodland, such as mallee or scrub dominated by mulga trees.

Sightings

First spotted by us in May 2007 in our garden, 20 km east of Narrabri, NSW. Due to the absence of any streaking on the front and buff colour on the underparts, the birds shwon must be Chestnut-rumped Thornbills.

Also spotted in June 2008, 15 km east of Narrabri.

Like many other Thornbill species, they like to stay in dense growth, such as young cypress pine trees.

Photos

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill

Here a different perspective

Lateral view

Slightly different angle, showing more of the chestnut-coloured rump

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Dec Eggs: 2 - 4 Incubation period: 18 days Fledging age: ca. 14 - 21 days

Nest

Type: Dome Material: Bark, grass, fur, feathers Height above ground: ?

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill collecting nesting material

Eggs

Size: 16 x 12 mm Colour: White, with mid-brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Food

Like several other species of the Acanthiza family, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills hunt for small insects in low shrubs and bushes.