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Chestnut-rumped ThornbillAlternate name(s): "Chestnut-tailed Thornbill", "Chestnut-rumped Tit", "Chestnut-rumped Tit-Warbler" Size: 9-10 cm Weight: 5-8 g |
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Similar |
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Photos |
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ADULT |
Sex unknown |
Frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
(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
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, May 2018]
Near-frontal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[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
(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
[Flinders Ranges
NP, March 2008]
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]
Near-dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill,
with a clear view of its rump
[Flinders Ranges
NP, March 2008]
Near-dorsal view of a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[Flinders Ranges
NP, March 2008]
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]
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IMMATURE/JUVENILE |
Frontal view of a juvenile Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
[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]
Fledgling Chestnut-rumped Thornbill - note the short tail feathers;
this bird was observed when being fed by its parents with small
insects they called in the flowering shrub
[Gundabooka NP,
NSW, September 2017]
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Breeding information |
Breeding season: Jul - Dec | Eggs: 2 - 4 | Incubation period: 18 days | Fledging age: ca. 14 - 21 days |
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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]
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill carrying nest material
(photo courtesy of
V. Collins)
[Pilliga scrub,
near Gwabegar, NSW, August 2021]
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill collecting nesting material
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]
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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 |
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Behaviour |
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, now after turning around entirely
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2014]
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill taking a bath
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, June 2019]
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Food, Diet |
Like several other species of the Acanthiza family, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills hunt for small insects in low shrubs and bushes.
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill with its prey, a small spider
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, February 2019]
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill with its prey, a small spider
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, February 2019]
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill devouring its prey
[Between Pilliga and Burren Junction, NSW, February 2019]
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill with its next meal (photo courtesy of
M. Mearns)
[Currawinya NP,
October 2008]
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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_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
.