Speckled Warbler.
Photo: Norman Chaffer Estate © Australian Museum
Speckled Warbler.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Chthonicola sagittata
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Speckled Warbler
Scientific name: Chthonicola sagittata
Family: Pardalotidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Small insect-eating birds
What does it look like?
Description
The crown of the Speckled Warbler is black with buff streaks. Between the crown and the white eyebrow is a line that is black in the males and chestnut in the females, the only difference between the two. The dark red eye is prominent in the pale face. The back is mottled dark brown but the underparts are cream with bold black streaks. When it flies, its tail shows a black band with a white tip.
Similar species
Other small birds with streaky underparts, such as the Shy Heathwren, hold their tails cocked in the air, unlike the Speckled Warbler. Hence the Speckled Warbler is quite distinctive..
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Speckled Warbler is patchily distributed on and inland of the Great Dividing Range, from level with Mackay in Qld, to the Grampians National Park in Victoria.
Habitat
The Speckled Warbler lives in dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands (woodlands have fewer trees than forests) dominated by eucalypts. It is mostly seen on the grassy ground layer, when it is foraging.
Seasonal movements
The Speckled Warbler is sedentary.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Speckled Warbler feeds on the ground, probing the leaf litter for insects. It will also eat seeds. It feeds in pairs or small parties up to 6 in number. Occasionally it is seen in mixed feeding flocks with several types of thornbills.
Breeding
The Speckled Warbler breeds either in pairs or trios of one female and two males, although the second male does not help at the nest. The group defends a territory and the pair bond usually lasts several years. Sometimes several family groups form small flocks over the winter.
Living with us
Living with humans
Humans have cleared much of the habitat of these birds, and such clearing is on-going. The small fragments of habitat that remain can lose their populations of Speckled Warblers, leading to local extinctions. It is classified as "vulnerable" in NSW.
References
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Higgins, P.J. and J.M. Peter (eds) 2002. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 6: Pardalotes to Shrike-thrushes. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
DEC, NSW Threatened Species - Speckled Warbler http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=10722