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White-throated Gerygone

(Gerygone olivacea)
Size: 10-11 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are three races of White-throated Gerygones. Nominate race "olivacea" occurs along the east coast of Australia, south of Cape York peninsula, and throughout the Great Dividing Range, down to about the NSW/VIC border. In years of good rainfall they can disperse into the semi-arid interior by about 100-200 km from the ranges, including also the Murray River catchment and the rest of VIC, up to about Adelaide in SA, to their range. Race "cinerascens" if found only on Cape York peninsula. From the southern tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria westward, throught the top end of the NT and the Kimberleys in WA, race "rogersi" is found.

White-throated Gerygones are usually found in open forest and woodland.

Sightings

In 2005 White-throated Gerygones visited us occasionally, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. Because of their prominent white throats we are confident that we have identified them correctly.

Spotted again in November 2006 in Warrumbungle National Park, 30 km west of Coonabarabran, NSW.

Spotted also 15 km east of Narrabri; first noticed there in late August 2011, when they had returned from their annual migration to the north of the continent.

Seen also in the Pilliga scrub, about 50 km south of Narrabri, in March 2009. Seen in the same area again in December 2011.

Also spotted in Byfield National Park, QLD, in July 2009.

Photos

Lateral view of a White-throated Gerygone

White-throated Gerygone seen from underneath

The same bird as above, seen from behind

White-throated Gerygone in dense underbrush

the same bird as shown above, seen at a different angle

More frontal view

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Jan Eggs: 2 - 3 Incubation period: ca. 12 days Fledging age: ca. 14 - 16 days

Nest

Type: Domed hanging bottle Material: Bark strips or reeds, webs Height above ground: 3 - 15 m

The nest shown below was found close to a creek lined by reeds, old strands of which were then used for construction. The nest, although suspended from only one point, looked very solid and stable.

Nest of a pair of White-throated Gerygones

Here the female is "at home", peeking out of the nest

In this photo one can see most clearly the typical markings of a White-throated Gerygone; next to the white throat, the white forehead spots and some yellow on the bird's breast are visible

Eggs

Size:18 x 13 mm Colour: Creamy, with mid-brown specks Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial? Mobility: Migratory Elementary unit: Pair?

Food

White-throated Gerygones forage through the foliage of trees for small insects.