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Australian Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) Alternate name(s): "Clamorous Reed-warbler", "Long-billed Reed-Warbler", "Reedbird"; Misnomers: "Water-sparrow", "Reedlark", "Nightingale*" Aboriginal name(s): Race "gouldi": "koordjikotji" (WA) Size: 15-18 cm Body mass: 17-22 g

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Australian Reed-Warblers are relatively large reed birds in Australia. Their front is creamy (eyebrows, throat) to buff-cream (face, chest, belly, vent), while the back is grey-brown, with darker grey-brown flight feathers and tail. The eyes have dark-brown irises. The relatively long, almost straight bill has a grey upper mandible, the lower mandible is horn-coloured. The legs and feet are grey. Twitcher's tip Compared with other reed birds, Australian Reed-Warblers have no striation.

Taxonomy, classification See Australian Reed-Warbler at Wikipedia . Click here for classification information Australian Reed-Warblers are no longer considered to be conspecific with the Clamorous Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus).

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 Australian Reed-Warbler is available HERE . The range of the Australian Reed-Warbler extends from West Papua and the Lesser Sunda Islands in eastern Indonesia and Timor Leste, via New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, to Australia. There are two races of Australian Reed-Warblers. Nominate race "australis" is found mostly in the eastern half of the continent and in the north-western corner of the NT, while race "gouldi" is endemic to near-coastal WA and the north-western corner of the NT around Litchfield NP. Both races are partly migratory, extending their range northwards outside the breeding season. Race "australis" breeds in the south-eastern part of the continent (south-eastern SA, all of VIC and NSW, small parts of southern QLD) and migrates northward to the base of Cape York peninsula and to the Mt. Isa area in northern QLD, but also across the eastern half of SA and the central NT to just South of the Kimberley and the adjacent NT, where they share a breeding area with race "gouldi". Race "gouldi" breeds in the south-western corner of WA and populates a wide (near-)coastal fringe of WA outside their breeding season, as far inland as the catchments of the major rivers such as e.g. the Fitzroy River and Gascoyne River. They occasionally cross the area of Eighty Mile Beach into the southern Kimberley, a breeding area they share with race "australis". Australian Reed-Warblers have a strong preference for reeds and other dense vegetation around water courses, lakes and also small/farm dams with dense fringe vegetation. Where to look? How to find this species? The easiest way to find Australian Reed-Warblers is to step up to a body of water surrounded by (e.g.) cumbungi; then listen for the loudest voice of a small bird coming out of the dense growth; the likelihood is high that it will be an Australian Reed-Warbler. To see one, just wait for a bird to clamber up a stalk to have a good loook around.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "australis" Australian Reed-Warblers, race "australis", were first spotted by us in August 2007, then subsequently in various locations in reeds around dams, rivers and lakes in inland NSW, e.g. at Narrabri Lake. Australian Reed-Warblers, race "australis", can be found in many different locations along rivers in inland NSW, e.g. along the Namoi River, where we have found them in tall reeds in abundance. Australian Reed-Warblers, race "australis", were also seen in, and have been reported to us from, coastal areas of southern and central QLD, such as e.g. Byfield NP, in July 2009. M. Eaton found Australian Reed-Warblers, race "australis", at the Cuttaburra Crossing, near Bedourie, QLD, in August 2025. P. Brown reports finding Australian Reed-Warblers occasionally in wetlands in and around Darwin, NT. It is not known to us which race is being found, "australis" or "gouldi". Race "gouldi" J. Greaves reports spotting Australian Reed-Warblers, race "gouldi", at Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, regularly. C. Pears also found Australian Reed-Warblers, race "gouldi", at Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, starting in August 2023. P. Brown reports finding Australian Reed-Warblers, race "gouldi", occasionally in wetlands in and around Darwin, NT.

Photos

Race "australis"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Full-frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler with its prey
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, December 2016]

Frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2007]

Frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler looking sideways (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, January 2021]

Frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler looking sideways (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2021]

Frontal view of a soaking wet Australian Reed-Warbler straight out of the bath tub
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2015]

Near-frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2007]

Near-frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler issuing its call (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, October 2014]

Close-up near-lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler looking towards the observer
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, December 2023]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, August 2017]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, January 2022]

Near-lateral view of a moulting Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, January 2021]

Near-lateral/ventral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler, possibly in fresh plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, March 2019]

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, October 2014]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler issuing its call (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Garden, Melbourne, VIC, October 2017)]

Close-up lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler looking towards the observer
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2024]

Close-up lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2024]

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler hunting in reeds
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Near-dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler looking backwards (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, August 2017]

Near-dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler looking sideways (phot courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a moulting Australian Reed-Warbler looking sideways (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fogg Dam CR, NT, January 2021]

Near-dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler issuing its call (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, August 2017)]

Dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler looking sideways
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Close-up dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler
[Yarrie Lake, near Wee Waa, NSW, August 2024]

Dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]

Dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, August 2017)]

Dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, January 2022]

Australian Reed-Warbler launching itself into the air (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, October 2014]

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler in flight (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, October 2014]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Partly obscured close-up frontal portrait of a juvenile Australian Reed-Warbler
[Pilliga, NSW, December 2022]

Close-up near-frontal view of a juvenile Australian Reed-Warbler
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, NSW, November 2024]

Close-up lateral portrait of a juvenile Australian Reed-Warbler
[Pilliga, NSW, December 2022]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Australian Reed-Warbler looking sideways
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2012]

Lateral view of two juvenile Australian Reed-Warblers waiting to be fed
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2012]

Two juvenile Australian Reed-Warblers being fed
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, November 2012]

Frontal view of a fledgling Australian Reed-Warbler waiting to be fed
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, December 2016]

Race "gouldi"

ADULT

MALE

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler; the dark head and the long bill suggest that it is race "gouldi" - this it the bird whose territorial calls were recorded on 30 December 2019 - it is therefore likely a male (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Palmerston Golf Club, Palmerston, NT, December 2019]

Sex unknown

Frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, January 2020]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, January 2020]

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler; note the greyish appearance of this bird in dark conditions
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Near-dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Near-dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, January 2020]

Dorsal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler in shady conditions (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Sep - Dec

Eggs: 3 - 4

Incubation period: 14 - 15 days

Fledging age: 14 - 16 days

The breeding season can be extended inland depending on rainfall.

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Suspended basket

Material: Reeds

Height above ground: 0.5 - 1 m

Close-up view of an Australian Reed-Warbler nest (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Palmerston Golf Course, Palmerston, NT, February 2021]

Australian Reed Warbler nest that is becoming visible at the end of the breeding season, when reeds thin out
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2011]

Australian Reed-Warbler working on its nest (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Australian Reed-Warbler carrying nest material (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, October 2022]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 20 x 14 mm

Colour: White, with dark-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary

Elementary unit: Solitary/pair

Australian Reed Warblers usually stay in the cover of reeds such as cumbungi and are only rarely seen on higher perches.

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler up in the crown of a riverside eucalypt (click on image for a wider overview)
[Pilliga, NSW, December 2018]

Food, Diet

Adults: Insects, spiders

Dependents: Like adults

Water intake: ?

Like all warblers of the Acrocephalus family known to us, Australian Reed-Warblers feed on insects that they catch in flight or pick from reeds.

Australian Reed-Warbler picking aphids off the underside of leaves (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Sandy Camp Road Wetlands, Lytton, QLD, August 2017)]

Near-frontal view of an Australian Reed-Warbler with its prey, an insect
[Old Quipolly Dam, near Quirindi, NSW, December 2016]

Lateral view of an Australian Reed-Warbler with its prey, a spider
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2012]

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.

clmrwrb_20170816.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Territorial calls	© MD
clmrwrb_art_20131215.m4a	australis (SE QLD)	Territorial calls	© ART
clmrwrb_20210428.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Warning calls	© MD
clmrwrb_art_20131214.m4a	australis (SE QLD)	Various	© ART
clmrwrb_20151222.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	Adult with begging juveniles	© MD
clmrwrb_20221220.mp3	australis (NW NSW)	Begging calls (juvenile) + being fed	© MD
clmrwrb_20220315.m4a	australis (NW NSW)	? (break of dawn)	© MD
clmrwrb_pb_20191230.m4a	gouldi (Top End, NT)	Territorial calls (male)	© PB
clmrwrb_cp_20250726.m4a	gouldi (SW WA)	Various	© CP

More Australian Reed-Warbler 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.

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