Opalton Grasswren

FEMALE
Photo © by Tom Tarrant
Opalton Qld & April 2021

Alternative name: Rusty Grasswren

Amytornis rowleyi

Identification

14 cm

• Upperparts deep rufous-brown with white streaks
• Underparts deep buff with heavy white streaking on the pale cream breast and belly
• Rufous eyebrow
• Black whisker-streak
• White throat.
• Blackish-brown tail (shorter than other Grasswrens)
• Black bill
• Bluish-grey legs
  

Female has pale chestnut flanks
Immature individuals are slightly duller

Distribution

Endemic to Forsyth Range (central Queensland), Australia.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
Formerly included in Striated Grasswren.

Habitat

In spinifex on rocky ranges.

Behaviour

Skilled at hiding and keep growth between themselves and any observer, so the chance of finding is remote. Occasionally in spring breeding will be sighted while singing.

Breeding

The female builds a domed nest out of dry grasses and bark, lined with fur, soft vegetation or feathers. The 2-3 eggs are incubated for two weeks; the young leave the nest two weeks later.

Diet

The diet includes seeds, insects and spiders.

Vocalisation

High, scratchy trills, "chweep, chweep" for contact and "tsee, tsee". In alarm, "tzirr". Also musical notes "tsee-tsee, piew-piew"

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
2. Avibase
3. BirdLife International.
4. Field Guide to Australian Birds - Michael Morcombe
5. nsw.gov.au
6. Birdforum thread discussing taxonomy of Grasswrens

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Opalton Grasswren. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Opalton_Grasswren

External Links

Search for photos of Opalton Grasswren in the gallery