- Stipiturus malachurus
Identification
A tiny orange-brown bird of dense scrub and grasslands. Bill and legs black. Back streaked dark brown. 6 fine, tail feathers, (like Emu feathers, hence the name) usualy longer in male. Males have light blue throat when not in eclipse plumage, otherwise throat plain (may show traces of blue). Females and Juveniles don't have any blue.
Similar Species
Range probably does not overlap with any similar species.
Distribution
Endemic to southern coastal Australia. Range in many areas fragmented due to development leading to habitat destruction. Some population now Threatened. Susceptible to fire as it is a feeble flyer. This also mean that it has difficulty colonising areas.
Taxonomy
Eight subspecies are recognized: malachurus, westernensis, littleri, parimeda, intermedius, halmaturinus, polionotum, and hartogi.
Habitat
Found in dense coastal grassland and scrub. Will enter light, open woodland if there is suitable dense undergrowth.
Behaviour
Very shy and in general difficult to observe, and easily overlooked; it will never leave dense cover or even fly over open ground. Sometimes (mainly in breeding season), males will clumber up to a fairly exposed spot and sing.
May be coaxed out by pishing, but this in general dosen't work. Can be inquisitive and approach if observer sits very still and quiet. Also joins mixed species flocks, usually fairy-wrens and White-browed Scrubwrens and is in general bolder when in the company of these species and then may forage close to track fringes (but, never in the open) were likely to be flushed.
Like Fairywrens lives in small family groups compromising of a dominant pair and several helpers (usually young males). Family groups usualy small just 4-6 birds compared to fairy-wren groups (6-10).
Vocalisation
Voice is much like that of fairy-wrens (on east coast closest to that of Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus), but is feebler and is loner in durations: a soft "trrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiieet". Soft "Bsrit!- Bsrit!" when scared or excited. A variety of other soft calls used in communication between members of the group.
