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Chiming Wedgebill
(Psophodes occidentalis)
: "Western Wedgebill", "Crested Wedgebill", "Chimes-bird",
"Daylight Bird", "Kitty-lintol"
Aboriginal name(s): "keetado"
Size: 19-22 cm
Weight: 35-50 g
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Similar species |
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Physical description |
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Click here for a physical description
Together with the
Chirruping Wedgebill,
Chiming Wedgebills are the smallest members of the genus Psophodes
(whipbirds and wedgebills).
Their plumage is
light greyish-brown throughout, with a light throat patch, a
slightly striated front and a somewhat darker back. Also the
small crest is light grey-brown. They have thin, inconspicuous,
grey eye stripes. The tail is dark grey-brown, with white-tipped
sides. The eyes have dark irises. The short, stout bill is black.
The legs and feet are dark-grey.
Juveniles
have a horn-coloured bill and a lighter front than
adults.
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Twitcher's tip |
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Except for their calls,
Chirruping Wedgebills
and Chiming Wedgebills
are indistinguishable in the field. However, the ranges of the two species
do not overlap.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Chiming
Wedgebill at Wikipedia .
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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
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The global distribution of the Chiming Wedgebill 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.
Chiming Wedgebills are endemic to Australia.
They populate basically the subtropical central-latitude
third of WA, from the western coastlina of the Gascoyne
and the Pilbara as far South as Geraldton westward into the
southern NT (to the NT/QLD border) and into north-eastern
SA (eastward to about Coober Pedy). They are NOT found in
the Lake Eyre Basin.
Chiming Wedgebills have a preference for dense scrub in arid
regions, dominated by acacia, melaleuca or tea tree.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
J. Greaves reports spotting a Chiming Wedgebill at Boolardy Station,
Murchison, WA, in August 2016.
M. Eaton found Chiming Wedgebills at Marla, SA, in October 2022.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Frontal view of a Chiming Wedgebill
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, August 2016]
Near-lateral view of a Chiming Wedgebill
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Marla, SA, October 2022]
Lateral view of a Chiming Wedgebill
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, August 2016]
Lateral view of a Chiming Wedgebill issuing its
call
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Marla, SA, October 2022]
Dorsal view of a Chiming Wedgebill looking sideways
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Marla, SA, October 2022]
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Call(s)/Song |
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For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The
interpretation of their meaning is our own; are welcome.
More Chiming Wedgebill sound recordings are available at
xeno-canto.org
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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.