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Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) Alternate name(s): "Chestnut-tailed Thornbill", "Chestnut-rumped Tit", "Chestnut-rumped Tit-Warbler" Size: 9-10 cm Body mass: 5-8 g

Australia: Family Group 17 Family Group 17 Table Spotted Pardalote Forty-spotted Pardalote Red-browed Pardalote Striated Pardalote Large-billed Scrubwren Atherton Scrubwren White-browed Scrubwren Spotted Scrubwren Tasmanian Scrubwren Yellow-throated Scrubwren Pilotbird Rock Warbler Chestnut-rumped Heathwren Shy Heathwren Striated Fieldwren Rufous Fieldwren Fernwren Scrubtit Speckled Warbler Redthroat Western Gerygone Brown Gerygone Mangrove Gerygone Dusky Gerygone Large-billed Gerygone Green-backed Gerygone Fairy Gerygone White-throated Gerygone Weebill Yellow Thornbill Striated Thornbill Buff-rumped Thornbill Yellow-rumped Thornbill Western Thornbill Slender-billed Thornbill Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Brown Thornbill Inland Thornbill Slaty-backed Thornbill Tasmanian Thornbill Mountain Thornbill Southern Whiteface Chestnut-breasted Whiteface Banded Whiteface Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names Habitat pages Key plants Birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Chestnut-rumped Thornbills are very small bushland birds. The forehead and the sides of the head are freckled light-grey on darker brownish-grey. The front (throat to vent) are greyish-brown, almost pinkish near the vent, while the back (cap, nape of the neck, mantle) is brownish grey. The tail is dark-grey. Their most prominent feature is the bright chestnut rump. The irises are grey, the bill, legs and feet are dark-grey. Juveniles do not have any scalloping yet and more chestnut tinting on their caps, backs, rump and uppertail than adults. Twitcher's tip Apart from some freckling on the forehead and around the eyes, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills have no further scalloping or striation, which distinguishes them from other thornbill species found in the interior of the continent.

Taxonomy, classification See Chestnut-rumped Thornbill at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Chestnut-rumped Thornbill is available HERE . NB: Reports on ebird of birds submitted by birdwatchers from the Australian Outback tend to be clustered along roads and public areas such as camp grounds; in such cases their distribution is not a good representation of the overall distribution of the species. Chestnut-rumped Thornbills are endemic to Australia. They live in the semi-arid interior of the Australian continent, outside the tropics. They populate a large part of the interior of the continent, but are not found in the most arid parts (the Gibson, Great Victoria and Simpson deserts, the Nullarbor and the Lake Eyre Basin), and not along the South-East or South coast of WA or the South coast of VIC and the East coast either. They also stay outside the Great Dividing Range, remaining in the drier interior. Chestnut-rumped Thornbills have a preference for dry woodland, such as mallee or mulga-dominated scrub. Where to look? How to find this species? Like many other thornbill species, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills like to stay in relatively dense growth, such as e.g. young Acacia salicina or cypress pine trees, foraging for small insects. They form small mobs or family clans, but normally do not join other species of small birds in mixed flocks. Neither do they like going to ground; one will usually find them at eye height or above.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Chestnut-rumped Thornbills were first spotted by us in May 2007 Eulah Creek, 20 km East of Narrabri, NSW, where we now see them occasionally. They were also spotted in June 2008, at Bullawa Creek SCA, 15 km East of Narrabri, NSW. Several Chestnut-rumped Thornbills were spotted by us in the Flinders Ranges, SA, in March 2008. M. Mearns found Chestnut-rumped Thornbills at Currawinya NP, southern inland QLD, in October 2008. C. Charles reports spotting Chestnut-rumped Thornbills at Round Hill NP, Mt. Hope, NSW, in September 2010. C. Hayne reports seeing a Chestnut-rumped Thornbills at Whittaker's Lagoon, 20 km West of Moree, NSW, in August 2011. J. Greaves reports spotting a Chestnut-rumped Thornbills occasinally in SW WA, e.g. in Gnoocardup, WA, December 2016, and at Wave Rock, Hyden, WA, in March 2017. In May 2018 we found Chestnut-rumped Thornbills in remnant woodland between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW. Since then we find them at this location semi-regularly. Together with V. Collins we found Chestnut-rumped Thornbills nesting in the Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, in August 2021. M. Eaton reports finding a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill in the township of Alice Springs, NT, in October 2022.

Photos

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill looking downwards (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill; note the little white face mask, making this individual resemble a Southern Whiteface (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill looking sideways
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, May 2018]

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill looking sideways
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2022]

Near-frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Pilliga NP, NSW, June 2020]

Near-frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, October 2022]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2014]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Close-up lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]

Close-up lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (photo courtesy of C. Charles)
[Round Hill NP, Mt. Hope, NSW, September 2010]

Lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2008]

Partially obscured lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Wave Rock, near Hyden, WA, March 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill issuing its call (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Whyalla CP, SA, October 2022]

Near-dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, May 2018]

Dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]

Dorsal/ventral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Gnoocardup, WA, December 2016]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Chestnut-rumped Thornbill looking sideways
[Bullawa Creek SCA, 15 km East of Narrabri, NSW, November 2014]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Bullawa Creek SCA, 15 km East of Narrabri, NSW, November 2014]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Chestnut-rumped Thornbill; note the characteristic russet mantle and tail feathers
[Bullawa Creek SCA, 15 km East of Narrabri, NSW, November 2014]

Frontal view of a fledgling Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2026]

Lateral view of a fledgling Chestnut-rumped Thornbill - note the pale gape and the short tail feathers
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2026]

Near-dorsal view of a fledgling Chestnut-rumped Thornbill being fed by one of its parents
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2026]

Dorsal view of a fledgling Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2026]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Jul - Dec

Eggs: 2 - 4

Incubation period: 18 days

Fledging age: ca. 14 - 21 days

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Dome inside hollow

Material: Bark, grass, fur, feathers

Height above ground: 2 - ? m

Overview of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill nest hollow, entrance near the bottom (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Overview of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill nest hollow, entrance on the right, near the bottom (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Closer look at the entrance to a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill nest hollow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill peeking out of its nest hollow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill entering its nest hollow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill leaving its nest hollow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill at its nest hollow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill at its nest hollow (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill approaching a hollow trunk (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Near-lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill carrying nest material (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub, near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 16 x 12 mm

Colour: White, with mid-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Sedentary/roaming

Elementary unit: Family clan/mob

Like other insect hunters, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills usually try to move as little as possible while searching for prey. They will turn their entire body only when necessary.

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, looking forward (left panel), to the right (central panel) and right back (right panel)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2014]

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill taking a bath (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, June 2019]

Food, Diet

Like several other species of the Acanthiza family, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills hunt for small insects and arachnids.

Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill with its prey, a small spider
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, February 2019]

Near-lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill with its prey, a small spider
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, February 2019]

Lateral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill devouring its prey
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, February 2019]

Lateral/ventral view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill with its catch, a larva
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2026]

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill with its next meal (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Currawinya NP, October 2008]

Near-dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill approaching a leaking water storage tank
[Flinders Ranges NP, March 2008]

Chestnut-rumped Thornbills taking advantage of a leaking water storage tank
[Flinders Ranges NP, March 2008]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

crthbil_20211002.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls(?)	© MD
crthbil_20260228.m4a	(NW NSW)	Contact calls(?)	© MD
crthbil_me_20221026_2.mp3	(S SA)	Warning calls(?)	© ME
crthbil_20170920_4.m4a	(NW NSW)	Warning calls(?)	© MD
crthbil_20210808_3.m4a	(NW NSW)	Alarm calls(?)	© MD
crthbil_20210808.m4a	(NW NSW)	Various (pair near nest)	© MD
crthbil_20210808_3.m4a	(NW NSW)	Various (pair near nest)	© MD
crthbil_20190617.m4a	(SW QLD)	Various (family clan)	© MD
crthbil_20190617_3.m4a	(SW QLD)	Various (family clan)	© MD
crthbil_20190618.m4a	(SW QLD)	Various (family clan)	© MD
crthbil_20190620.m4a	(SW QLD)	Various (family clan)	© MD
crthbil_20190930.mp3	(NW NSW)	Various	© MD
crthbil_20221226.mp3	(NW NSW)	Various	© MD
crthbil_20170920_2.m4a	(NW NSW)	? (adults)	© MD
crthbil_20141127_j.mp3	(NW NSW)	Various (juvenile)	© MD
crthbil_me_20221026.mp3	(S SA)	Various	© ME
crthbil_20170920_3.m4a	(NW NSW)	Juveniles begging & adults responding	© MD
crthbil_20170920.m4a	(NW NSW)	Juveniles begging & adults responding	© MD

More Chestnut-rumped Thornbill sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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