White-throated Gerygone on a branch.
Photo: SG Lane Collection © Australian Museum
White-throated Gerygone, back.
Photo: SG Lane Collection © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Gerygone olivacea
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
White-throated Gerygone
Scientific name: Gerygone olivacea
Family: Pardalotidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Small insect-eating birds
What does it look like?
Description
The White-throated Gerygone is a very small grey brown bird with a white throat and spot on forehead, distinctive bright yellow underparts and a white-tipped tail. It has a red eye. Most often heard during breeding season, it is not obvious at other times.
Similar species
The Fairy Gerygone, G. palpebrosa differs from the White-throated Gerygone in that it does not have the white tail tips, and some males have a black chin and/or throat. It also only overlaps in the Queensland part of the White-throated Gerygone's range, from Tropic of Capricorn to northern Cape York. The smaller Weebill, Smicrornis brevirostris, can resemble young White-throated Gerygones, but does not have a red eye, lacks the white throat and forehead and is generally paler above, with a shorter, paler bill.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The White-throated Gerygone ranges from south-eastern Australia through Queensland and across northern Australia to the Kimberley region, Western Australia.
Habitat
The White-throated Gerygone is found in open eucalypt woodlands and forests and in vegetation along watercourses.
Seasonal movements
Partially migratory in south of range; sedentary in north.
What does it do?
Feeding
The White-throated Gerygone feeds in trees on insects and other arthropods.
Breeding
The White-throated Gerygone mates for life. It builds an oval or pear shaped nest of bark bound with spiders' silk, which is hung in the outer foliage of trees.
References
Serventy, V.N. (ed) 1982. The Wrens and Warblers of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the Australian Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.
Rowland, P. 1996. A Photographic Guide to Birds of Australia. Australian Museum/New Holland.