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Gibberbird
(Ashbyia lovensis)
: "Desert Chat", "Gibber Chat"
Size: 12-13 cm
Weight: 14-20 g
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Gibberbirds are very small nectar-eating birds. Their
plumage is
dimorphic, i.e.
males and
females
are different.
Male
Gibberbirds have yellowish front, from the lores via
the chin and throat down to the undertail. The ear patches,
frons, cap and back are all scalloped grey-brown, with
light-grey edge lining. The tail is dark-grey with a
narrow white terminal band.
Female
Gibberbirds have a paler front than
males
and a darker scalloped back. In general, the colour contrast
of their plumage
is lower than that of
males.
The irises of both sexes are yellowish-white. The bill is
dark-grey, the legs are grey.
Juvenile
Gibberbirds resemble
females.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Gibberbird
at Wikipedia .
Click here for classification information
Gibberbirds are closely related to the Chats of genus
Epthianura.
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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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 Gibberbird is available
HERE
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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.
Gibberbirds are endemic to the Red Centre of the Australian
continent. They are found in an area spanning from the
SA/NT border to the South of Alice Springs south-eastward
to a line connecting Coober Pedy, SA, with Broken Hill, NSW.
From Broken Hill the eastern edge of their range runs straight
northward, to the tropic of Capricorn. Their range encompasses
north-eastern SA, far-northwestern NSW and subtropical south-western
QLD, except an area around the three-state corner of SA, the NT
and QLD. Sightings elsewhere are extremely rare.
Gibberbirds have a strong preference for stony, open plains
(gibber),
with very little, if any noticeable vegetation.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
M. Mearns reports spotting a Gibberbird 100 km North of Innamincka,
SA, in September 2009.
M. Eaton found a Gibberbird along the Boulia to Bedourie Road,
far-western QLD, in July 2021. More Gibberbirds were found along
the Birdsville Track, QLD, in August 2022.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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MALE |
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Distant frontal view of a male Gibberbird; the prominent
yellow front and facial mask suggest that this is a male bird
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[100 km North of Innamincka, SA, September 2009]
Lateral view of a male Gibberbird looking at the observer;
note the absence of a greyish band across the chest
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Birdsville Track, QLD, August 2022]
Near-dorsal view of a male Gibberbird; click on image to see more of
the surroundings, which are the typical habitat of this species,
namely gibber
(photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[100 km North of Innamincka, SA, September 2009]
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FEMALE |
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Close-up frontal view of a female Gibberbird looking sideways;
note the more subdued colours compared to the males shown above
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Birdsville Track, QLD, August 2022]
Lateral view of a female Gibberbird
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Boulia to Bedourie Road, QLD, July 2021]
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.