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20

Little Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) Alternate name(s): "Rufous Shrike-thrush" Aboriginal name(s): Race "griseata": "gugubarbi" [ngadjon] Size: 17-19 cm Weight: 33-49 g

Australia: Family Group 20 Family Group 20 Table Eastern Whipbird Chirruping Wedgebill Chiming Wedgebill Spotted Quail-thrush Cinnamon Quail-thrush Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Varied Sittella Crested Bellbird Eastern (Crested) Shrike-tit Northern (Crested) Shrike-tit Grey Whistler Olive Whistler Golden Whistler Western Whistler Mangrove Golden Whistler White-breasted Whistler Rufous Whistler Gilbert's Whistler Little Shrike-thrush Bower's Shrike-thrush Sandstone Shrike-thrush Grey Shrike-thrush 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 Little Shrike-thrushes are the smallest Australian shrike-thrushes. Details of their morphology depend on race. The front is mostly pale-rufous to grey, except for a whitish throat patch and some streaking on the chest. The head and back are grey-brown, with dark-grey flight feathers with rufous edge lining. The eyes have brown irises. The bill has a dark-grey upper mandible and a pinkish to horn-coloured lower mandible. The legs and feet are grey.

Taxonomy, classification See Little Shrike-thrush 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 Little Shrike-thrush is available HERE . The range of the Little Shrike-thrush extends from West Papua (eastern Indonesia) via Papua New Guinea to the far-eastern islands around New Guinea and to northern and eastern Australia. There are in total seven races of Little Shrike-thrushes; for details see a field guide. Altogether they populate the East, North-East and North coast of Australia. Their range extends from the coastal fringe of the Kimberley in WA, through the entire Top End of the NT, the northern part of Cape York peninsula and along the tropical and subtropical coast of QLD, down to the Hunter River, NSW, as the southern limit. They are found in dense forest along the coastline and the seaward slopes of the ranges. Race "parvula" populates the far northern coastal fringe of WA and the Top End of the NT, from about Derby, WA, to north-eastern Arnhemland, northward of the geographic latitude of Katherine, NT, including the Tiwi Islands. Race "normani" resides on Cape York peninsula, in far-northern QLD. Race "griseata" is found in tropical QLD, from about Ingham to the base of Cape York peninsula at Port Douglas. Further southward race "synaptica" is found, whereas race "gouldii" resides between Mackay, QLD, and Gladstone, QLD. Little Shrike-thrushes can be found in various types of coastal woodland, from open woodland to mangroves and the understorey of rainforest.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "parvula" B. Hensen reports spotting a Little Shrike-thrush, race "parvula", at Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, in December 2015, and another at Gubara, Kakadu NP, NT, in July 2018. P. Brown finds Little Shrike-thrushes, race "parvula", semi-regularly in dense growth in different locations in and around Darwin, NT. Race "griseata" B. Hensen reports spotting Little Shrike-thrushes, race "griseata", at Julatten, QLD, in July 2013. J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours found Little Shrike-thrushes, race "griseata", at Kingfisher Park, Julatten, in December 2019. Others were found at Yungaburra, QLD, in November 2022. Race "synaptica" M. Eaton reports spotting a Little Shrike-thrush, race "synaptica", at Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, in September 2020. Race "gouldii" A Little Shrike-thrush, race "gouldii" was spotted by us at Byfield NP, near Byfield, QLD, in July 2009. M. Eaton reports finding a Little Shrike-thrush, race "gouldii", at Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, in July 2021. Race "rufogaster" M. Eaton reports spotting Little Shrike-thrushes, race "rufogaster", semi-regularly in various locations in near-coastal south-eastern QLD. E. Scott reports finding a Little Shrike-thrush, race "rufogaster", semi-regularly in Roseberry Creek Valley, near Toonumbar NP, northern NSW. Race "normani" M. Eaton reports spotting a Little Shrike-thrush, race "normani", in various locations on Cape York peninsula, QLD, in August 2019.

Photos

Race "parvula"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Robin Falls, near Adelaide River township, NT, December 2020]

Near-lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, October 2020]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush looking back; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 27 May 2020
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, May 2020]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, December 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, December 2015]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush issuing its call (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Robin Falls, near Adelaide River township, NT, December 2020]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush foraging in leaf litter (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Kakadu NP, NT, July 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of a Little Shrike-thrush; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 4 August 2018
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, August 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, October 2020]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 11 April 2020
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Darwin, NT, April 2020]

Lateral view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 20 February 2019
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Charles Darwin NP, Darwin, NT, February 2019]

Lateral view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush, now seen calling; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 20 February 2019 (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Charles Darwin NP, Darwin, NT, February 2019]

Race "griseata"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Close-up near-frontal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Kingfisher Park, Julatten, QLD, December 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush taking on big prey (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Kingfisher Park, Julatten, QLD, December 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush dissecting its prey (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Kingfisher Park, Julatten, QLD, December 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2013]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Dorsal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush; note the rufous juvenile wing feathers
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Julatten, QLD, July 2018]

Race "synaptica"

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Dorsal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Tyto Wetlands, Ingham, QLD, September 2020]

Race "gouldii"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush
[Byfield NP, QLD, July 2009]

The same Little Shrike-thrush as shown above, here seen from above...
[Byfield NP, QLD, July 2009]

... and here from below
[Byfield NP, QLD, July 2009]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Lateral view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Race "rufogaster"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Regional Park, near Anstead, QLD, March 2017]

Near-frontal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Regional Park, near Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Near-frontal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Regional Park, near Anstead, QLD, March 2017]

Lateral/ventral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Regional Park, near Anstead, QLD, March 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of E. Scott)
[Roseberry Creek Valley, near Toonumbar NP, northern NSW, July 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Regional Park, near Anstead, QLD, May 2017]

Dorsal view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Regional Park, near Anstead, QLD, May 2017]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Inskip Point, QLD, December 2017]

Frontal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush, here seen preening (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Inskip Point, QLD, December 2017]

Race "normani"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Near-lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Iron Range NP, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Chili Beach, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Lateral view of a Little Shrike-thrush (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gunshot Creek, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

Food, Diet

Lateral/ventral view of a Little Shrike-thrush with a moth (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Yungaburra, QLD, November 2022]

Little Shrike-thrush with a caterpillar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Town of 1770, QLD, September 2017]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush with its prey, a hairy caterpillar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush with its prey, a hairy caterpillar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Little Shrike-thrush with its prey, a hairy caterpillar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Eungella NP, near Mackay, QLD, July 2021]

Little Shrike-thrush looking for prey (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Ludmilla Creek, Darwin, NT, January 2021]

Little Shrike-thrush with its find, a larva (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Ludmilla Creek, Darwin, NT, January 2021]

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.

ltshrth_pb_20180726.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Contact call(?)	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20200207.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Contact call(?)	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20200411.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Territorial call(?)	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20200527.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Territorial call(?)	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20200411_2.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Hissing mobbing/alarm call (Rufous Owl), with Yellow-throated Miners	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20190220.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Various	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20180804.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Various	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20200527_2.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	Various	© PB
ltshrth_pb_20200619.m4a	parvula (Darwin, NT)	?	© PB
ltshrth_me_20200927.m4a	synaptica (Near Townsville, QLD)	?	© ME

More Little Shrike-thrush 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: Fri, 11 November 2022, 5:23 +00:00