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White-browed BabblerAlternative names: "White-eyebrowed Chatterer", "Go-away", "Stick-bird", "Kangaroo-bird" Size: 19-22 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
All four races of White-browed Babblers are found in the south or centre of the Australian continent. Race "ashbyi" populates the south-west corner of WA, except the Perth area. In inland NSW and central southern QLD, east of a line though Mildura, race "gilgandra" is found. In the far south-western corner of QLD, the north-western corner of SA, south-western quarter of the NT and eastern central WA one finds race "centralis". The rest of the range, i.e. central and south-eastern WA, the southern half of SA and a narrow fringe in western NSW, is occupied by nominate race "superciliosus". With one exception in the central NT there are no White-browed Babblers north of the tropic of Capricorn. There are none in most of southern QLD either and none along the east and south coast of Australia either.
White-browed Babblers can be found in relatively dry forest, often with undergrowth, mallee or dense scrub.
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Sightings |
We first spotted White-browed Babblers on the northern edge of Jack's Creek State Forest, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW, where we saw them infrequently in the years 2003-2006. Since 2006 seen in various other locations of the Pilliga scrub.
Also spotted regularly since February 2008 in Deriah Forest, 30 km east of Narrabri.
Spotted by us in December 2008 at Porcupine Reserve in Gunnedah, NSW.
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Photos |
Near-frontal view of a White-browed Babbler
Lateral view of a White-browed Babbler
Here the underside of a bird
White-browed Babbler preening
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Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Jul - Dec | Eggs: 2 - 3 | Incubation period: 17 - 25 days | Fledging age: 19 - 22 days |
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Nest |
| Type: Dome | Material: Sticks, with grass and/or feather lining | Height above ground: 1 - 6 m |
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Nest |
A pair of White-browed Babblers' nest in a black pine
tree; the pair of them were observed "doing it" in the
nest that was still under construction
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Eggs |
| Size: 25 x 17 mm | Colour: Mid-brown with strong colour pattern | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Sedentary | Elementary unit: Family clan |
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Food |
Like all other babblers of the Pomatostomus family, White-browed Babblers hunt for insects and their larvae in trees and on the ground.
