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Brown Gerygone

Did you know?

The generic nameGerygone means 'born of song', referring to the sweet voices of birds in this genus.

Calls
Brisk, incessant: 'which-is-it-is-it'; also soft calls.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
9cm
Maximum Size: 
11cm
Average size: 
10cm
Average weight: 
6g
Breeding season: 
August to Februrary
Clutch Size: 
Two or three, sometimes four
Incubation: 
18 days
Nestling Period: 
15 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Not present
VIC: 
Not present
WA: 
Not present
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Gerygone mouki
Featured bird groups: 
Small insect-eating birds
Atlas Number: 
454
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Brown Gerygone is a small bird, olive-grey (race richmondi, in south) to buff-brown (race mouki, in north) above, with a pale grey face and underparts, with the flanks washed brown. It has a long white eyebrow and a red-brown eye. The tail band is dark and the tail tips are white. It is usually seen in pairs or small parties, fluttering around foliage. Also known as the Brown Warbler.

Similar species: 

The Brown Gerygone is similar to both the Large-billed, G. magnirostris, and Mangrove,G. levigaster, Gerygones. It differs from the former by having a distinctive white eyebrow and a grey-tinged face. The Mangrove Gerygone, while having a white eyebrow, lacks the grey face, has more white on the flanks and has a redder eye.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Brown Gerygone is found along the east coast of Australia, in two disjunct (unconnected) ranges: the northern race, mouki, is found north from Tully, Queensland at altitudes above 250 metres; the southern race, richmondi, is found south from Cooktown, Queensland to Sale, Victoria. In Victoria there has been a westward expansion of this species, with confirmed sightings in the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne.

Habitat: 

The Brown Gerygone is found in coastal and mountain rainforest, wet gullies and mangroves. It has been seen in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

Seasonal movements: 

Sedentary.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Brown Gerygone forages at all heights of the canopy, snapping up flying insects while fluttering around the foliage.

Breeding: 

The Brown Gerygone builds a rounded dome nest with a tapering 'tail' from roots, plant fibres, spider web, moss and lichens, which is suspended from a low branch or vine. Both parents feed the young.

References: 
Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 6: Pardalotes to Shrike-thrushes.
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