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Chirruping Wedgebill

(Psophodes cristatus)
Size: 19-21 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Chirruping Wedgebills live in the interior of the Australian continent, in the border region of the NT with QLD, NSW and SA, i.e. the Strezlecki and Simpson Deserts. The eastern boundary of their range is the Paroo River, with Broken Hill, NSW, as the south-western limit. The southern limit is near Port Augusta, SA, and Lake Eyre on the western side. Towards the south-west and north-west their range extends further than Lake Eyre, to about Coober Pedy, SA, and Ghan, NT, respectively.

Chirruping Wedgebills are usually found in low scrubs, e.g. acacia-dominated woodland, or open savannah.

Sightings

Chirruping Wedgebills were first spotted by us in March 2008, just south of Broken Hill, in the far west of NSW, in open country with low bushes as the only vegetation.

Photos

Frontal view of a Chirruping Wedgebill foraging on the ground

Lateral view of a Chirruping Wedgebill foraging on the ground

Lateral view of a Chirruping Wedgebill in a bush, showing clearly its crest and overall greyish appearance (bird out of focus)

Behaviour

Social behaviour: ? Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Family clan

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.