Inland thornbill
Inland thornbill | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Acanthizidae |
Genus: | Acanthiza |
Species: | A. apicalis |
Binomial name | |
Acanthiza apicalis Gould, 1847 | |
Subspecies | |
Acanthiza apicalis apicalis |
The inland thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis), commonly called the broad-tailed thornbill, is a small, insect-eating bird of Australia. The Inland Thornbill is commonly confused with the coastal brown thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla) due to its similar colorations.[2] The inland thornbill encompasses four subspecies:[3]
- A. a. apicalis
- A. a. albiventris
- A. a. cinerascens
- A. a. whitlocki
The thornbill ranges in size from 9 to 11 centimetres, averaging 10 centimetres and 7 grams.[4] The bird has a grey-brown back, a reddish rump, and a dark tail with a white tip. Its underbelly is cream colored with black streaks. Both male and female thornbills look similar, though male birds tend to be a bit larger.[4]
Breeding season lasts from July through December. Female thornbills average three eggs per clutch, which incubate for 19 days. Baby birds leave the nest after 17 days.[4]
The thornbill can be found throughout Australia inland of the Great Dividing Range, but not in tropical northern climates or in Tasmania.[2] The inland thornbill overlaps in range with the brown thornbill along the Great Dividing Range, leading to numerous mis-sightings.[4] Inland thornbills live in dry scrublands and woodlands. In Southwestern Australia, they also inhabit sand heaths and karri and jarrah forests.[4] It feeds on small insects and spiders, and occasionally seeds and small vegetable matter, beneath shrubs and in foliage.
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Acanthiza apicalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- 1 2 Oz Birds: Inland Thornbill. 2006. Accessible via
- ↑ Taxonomy Question
- 1 2 3 4 5 Birds in Backyards: Inland Thornbill Factsheet. Australian Museum. 2006. Accessible via: