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Chirruping Wedgebill
(Psophodes cristatus)
Size: 19-21 cm
Weight: 34-44 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
Chiming Wedgebill,
Chirruping 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 Chirruping
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 based
on sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Chirruping Wedgebill is available
HERE
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Chirruping Wedgebills are endemic to Australia.
They live in the interior of the Australian continent, in the border
region of the NT with QLD, NSW and SA, i.e. around the Strezlecki
and Simpson Deserts. The eastern boundary of their range is the Paroo
River, with Broken Hill, NSW, as the south-eastern limit. The southern
limit is near Port Augusta, SA, and Lake Eyre on the western side.
Towards the South-West and North-West their range extends further
than Lake Eyre, to about Coober Pedy, SA, and Ghan, NT, respectively.
Chirruping Wedgebills are usually found in low, e.g. acacia-dominated,
scrub or open savannah.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Chirruping Wedgebills were first spotted by us in March 2008, just
South of Broken Hill, in the far West of NSW, in open shrubland.
A Chirruping Wedgebill was next seen by us again in outback NSW in
September 2012, e.g. in a dry gully about 100 km East of Tibooburra.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Frontal view of a Chirruping Wedgebill
[100 km East of Tibooburra, NSW, September 2012]
Lateral view of a Chirruping Wedgebill
[100 km East of Tibooburra, NSW, September 2012]
Frontal view of a Chirruping Wedgebill foraging on the ground
[Near Broken Hill, NSW, March 2008]
Lateral view of a Chirruping Wedgebill foraging on the ground
[Near Broken Hill, NSW, March 2008]
| Social behaviour: Territorial? |
Mobility: Sedentary |
Elementary unit: Family clan |
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.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
