- Stipiturus malachurus
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. Voice is much like that of Fairy Wrens (on east coast closest to that of Superb Fairy-Wren (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 including used in communication between members of the group. Similar Species: Range probably does not overlap with any similar species.
Distribution
Endemic to southern coastal Australia. (will add races later and more detailed distribution later). Range in many areas fragmented due to development habitat destruction. Some population now Threatened. Susceptible to fire as is feeble flyer. This also mean that it has difficulty colonising areas.
Taxonomy
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 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 aproach if observer sits very still and quiet. Also joins mixed species flocks, usualy 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 Fairy-wrens lives in small family groups compromising of a dominant pair and several helpers (usualy young males). Family groups usualy small just 4-6 birds compared to Fairy-wren groups (6-10).
