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17

Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis) Alternate name(s): "Broad-tailed Thornbill" Aboriginal name(s): "djoolbedjoolbong" (WA) Size: 9.5-10.5 cm Weight: 6-10 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 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 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 Inland Thornbills are very small bushland birds. Their forehead is freckled grey-and-white, the sides of the face and the throat and chest are heavily streaked black on white. However, note that the western races "apicalis" and "whitlocki" show considerable variability in their plumages. The forehead can, but is not always, be as brown as a Brown Thornbill's, while the striation down the front can range from clearly visible to almost absent. The belly is light-cinnamon, the flanks pale-buff. The back is grey-brown, with a red-brown rump and a brown tail that has a black end with a thin grey terminal band. The irises are red, the bill, legs and feet are dark-grey. Twitcher's tip Inland Thornbills have a heavily striated front, which distinguishes them from Inland Thornbills with their plain front.

Taxonomy, classification See Inland 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 Inland 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. Inland Thornbills are endemic to Australia. There are four races of Inland Thornbills - for details see a field guide. They populate the semi-arid interior of the southern half of the Australian continent, i.e. the entire western half of WA up to the tropic of Capricorn, the north-western and south-eastern quarter of SA plus much of the southern half of the NT, as well as most of inland NSW and subtropical QLD. They are not found in the Simpson Desert, the Nullarbor or the eastern half of WA, not along the South or East coast of the continent and not in the tropics either (with only minor exceptions, e.g. near Mt. Isa, QLD). Inland Thornbills can be found in low shrubs, heath and mallee in semi-arid environments.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "apicalis" J. Greaves reports spotting an Inland Thornbill, nominate race "apicalis", at Manjimup, WA, in March 2015, in Balingup, WA, in May 2016, and at Wave Rock, near Hyden, WA, in March 2017. M. Eaton reports finding Inland Thornbills, nominate race "apicalis", at Margaret River, WA, in April 2019. Race "apicalis", or a mix between different races, was sighted by us in Flinders Ranges NP, SA, in March 2008. R. Plumtreereports finding an Inland Thornbill, nominate race "apicalis", at Parachilna Gorge, SA, in November 2018. Race "albiventris" Our first sighting of an Inland Thornbill, race "albiventris", was in February 2006, near Gunnedah, NSW. In August 2006 we found Inland Thornbills, race "albiventris", 20 km South-West of Narrabri. We see them semi-regularly at Eulah Creek and also Deriah Aboriginal Area, 20-30 km East of Narrabri. Inland Thornbills, race "albiventris", were spotted by us at Dandry Gorge AA in June 2016. A family clan of Inland Thornbills, race "albiventris", was found by us at the Goulburn River NP, in December 2015. In September 2017 we found Inland Thornbills, race "albiventris", at Gundabooka NP, near Bourke, NSW. Race "whitlocki" Inland Thornbills of race "whitlocki" were spotted by us in the Gammon Ranges, SA, in March 2008. M. Eaton reports finding Inland Thornbills, race "whitlocki", in Alice Springs, NT, in June 2023.

Photos

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Race "apicalis"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Wave Rock, near Hyden, WA, March 2017]

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Manjimup, WA, March 2015]

Near-lateral view of an Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Parachilna Gorge, SA, November 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Parachilna Gorge, SA, November 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Inland Thornbill drinking water from a leaking storage tank
[Flinders Ranges NP, SA, March 2008]

Pair of Inland Thornbill in a shrub (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Balingup, WA, May 2016]

Dorsal view of an Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Parachilna Gorge, SA, November 2018]

Race "albiventris"

ADULT

PAIR

Male Inland Thornbill courting a female at the end of winter
[Near Narrabri, NSW, ca. 2008]

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2018]

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, February 2014]

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill looking sideways, with all characteristic features in one go: Striated front, deep-brown rump, red eyes and dark legs
[Eulah Creek, NSW, July 2011]

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill looking sideways
[Gundabooka NP, near Bourke, NSW, September 2017]

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill; note the striated front, deep-brown rump, red eyes and dark legs
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2011]

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2018]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a singing Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Near-lateral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2018]

Near-lateral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2018]

Near-lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2014]

Near-lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 12 September 2019
[Bullawa Creek SCA, near Narrabri, NSW, September 2019]

Close-up lateral view of an Inland Thornbill looking towards the observer
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2023]

Close-up lateral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2023]

Close-up lateral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2018]

Lateral view of an Inland Thornbill inspecting a bird bath
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2022]

Lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Dandry Gorge AA, NSW, June 2016]

Lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill; note the dark legs

Lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill

Near-dorsal view of an Inland Thornbill
[The Drip Gorge, Goulburn River NP, NSW, December 2015]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2018]

Dorsal view of an Inland Thornbill, giving a clear view of the deep-brown rump
[Near Narrabri, NSW, ca. 2008]

Ventral view of an Inland Thornbill; one can see clearly the striated face, throat and breast

Close-up ventral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Frontal comparison of an Inland Thornbill with a Yellow-rumped Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2023]

Inland Thornbill hovering in front of a branch from which it then picked a small insect, possibly an aphid
[August 2008]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Inland Thornbill (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Terry Hie Hie, NSW, October 2013]

Frontal view of a fledgling Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2007]

Lateral view of a fledgling Inland Thornbill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2007]

Race "whitlocki"

Note below the variability of the plumage, in the colour of the forehead and the amount of frontal striation.

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" looking sideways; note the faint streaking down the front
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Comparison of three Inland Thornbills "whitlocki" with different appearances - these photos are of members of the same mob, taken at the same location - the all-black bills indicate that neither bird is a juvenile; the red irises show that neither of these birds is a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
Left: brown forehead, strong striation, like a Brown Thornbill
Centre: greyish forehead, no visible striation, similar to a Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
Right: dark-grey forehead, clearly visible striation, similar to race "albiventris"
(photos courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Near-lateral view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Lateral view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Lateral/ventral view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Near-dorsal view of an Inland Thornbill "whitlocki" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, June 2023]

Race "whitlocki"/"apicalis"/"albiventris" mix

In the Gammon Ranges NP in north-eastern SA we found the birds shown below, with heavy streaking but otherwise pale colours.

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an Inland Thornbill
[Gammon Ranges NP, SA, March 2008]

Lateral view of an Inland Thornbill
[Gammon Ranges NP, SA, March 2008]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive

Elementary unit: Family clan

Inland Thornbills are gregarious birds; although territorial with respect to others of their own species, they are seen by us regularly together with other species of thornbills.

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill inspecting a bird bath
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2022]

Near-frontal view of an Inland Thornbill in a bird bath
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2022]

Food, Diet

Like several other species of the Acanthiza family, Inland Thornbills hunt for small insects and spiders in low shrubs and trees. They have also been seen by us also taking insects in flight.

Inland Thornbill with the legs of its prey, a spider, still sticking out
[Pilliga NP, NSW, December 2022]

Inland Thornbill with its prey, probably a psyllid
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2007]

This Inland Thornbill looks like it has a lerp in its bill
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Inland Thornbill looking for prey between the seed cones of a Callistemon shrub
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2023]

Inland Thornbill with a casuarina flower; we do not know whether the bird took nectar or what else it might want to do with the flower
[Pilliga West SCA, NSW, March 2018]

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.

inthbil_20190403.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	Contact call?	© MD
inthbil_20200912.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	Territorial calls?	© MD
inthbil_20220918.mp3	albiventris (NW NSW)	Territorial calls?	© MD
inthbil_20190912.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	Territorial calls? (+ Rainbow Bee-eater)	© MD
inthbil_20180725.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	Male courting female(?)	© MD
inthbil_20180909.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	Male courting female(?)	© MD
inthbil_20230523.mp3	albiventris (NW NSW)	Various (mob)	© MD
inthbil_20171019.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	Various	© MD
inthbil_20140612.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	Various	© MD
inthbil_20180928.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	?	© MD
inthbil_20190628.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	?	© MD
inthbil_20200815.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	?	© MD
inthbil_20210313.m4a	albiventris (NW NSW)	?	© MD

We have also been able to record the wing beats of Inland Thornbills.

inthbil_20230726.mp3

albiventris (NW NSW)

Arrival, contact call, departure

© MD

More Inland 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.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Wed, 2 August 2023, 5:39 +00:00