How to find a Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren BirdLife Australia 1. Look for a patch of relatively healthy Black Bluebush Identifying Grey Range acknowledges the Traditional shrubland. Owners of the Country on 2. Watch from 10 to 30m away, observe shrubs and look for Thick-billed Grasswren which we live and work, and we bird movement - using binoculars is ideal. pay our respects to their Elders 3. Look at the birds’ appearance and behaviour (see inside) past, present and emerging. and compare with similar looking species. We recognise and are grateful Be patient. If you are lucky, the bird might land on a clear 4. for the immense contribution perch. However, please don’t chase or harass the bird. of Indigenous people to the When trying to find birds it is important to respect the rights knowledge and conservation of of all landowners and always ask for permission before entering private property. Australia’s birds. Australia’s voice for birds since 1901 What to record BirdLife Australia is dedicated to achieving 1. Take a photo of the habitat and of the bird, if possible, outstanding conservation results for our native although this is usually very difficult! birds and their habitats. With our specialised 2. An accurate location of where you found the bird using a knowledge and the commitment of an Australia GPS, phone or another device, or even a detailed map that wide network of volunteers and supporters, includes proximity to roads and landmarks. This is the most we are standing together to stop extinctions. important step! 3. Scribble down some notes on the birds’ appearance and behavior and try to write down as much information as Add your voice possible, including: • Date and time • Location • Number of birds join us volunteer donate • Behaviour • Other species present • Vegetation – species, condition, density 4. Report all sightings to BirdLife Australia. You can record sightings in BirdLife Australia’s free birdata app: birdata. birdlife.org.au birdlife.org.au or email at [email protected] Photos kindly provided by Tom Hunt and Luke Ireland. BirdLife Australia Suite 2–05, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053 T 03 9347 0757 | [email protected] facebook.com/BirdLifeAustralia | @BirdlifeOz ABN 75 149 124 774 AUSTRALIA Introduction Grey Range Thick-billed The Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren is a subspecies of Thick-billed Grasswren Grasswren Identification that only occurs in Far Northwest NSW. Scientific name: Amytornis modestus obscurior Indicative Size: 15 – 20 cm (tip of beak to tip of tail.) distribution of Grey Range Stout bill Population: <50 Thick-billed Status: Critically Endangered Grasswren Head coarsely Habitat streaked white Grey Range Thick-billed Grasswren live in Black Bluebush Long brown tail often Maireana pyramidata shrublands preferring areas where the held erect and still shrubs are tallest and thickest. They may also be found in Cottonbush Maireana aphylla. Fawn brown underparts Dull brown back with fainter streaking and wings on the breast Sturdy, dark grey legs Example of typical Black Bluebush shrubland where these grasswren occur (left) and an example of a healthier taller Black Bluebush shrub (right). Threats • Overgrazing • Erosion Size comparison • Introduced predators Measurements are from • Drought the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail. • Climate change Example of erosion threatening current grasswren habitat. Australian Magpie Crested Pigeon Singing Honeyeater Thick-billed Grasswren Rufous Fieldwren Fairy-wren 38-44cm 30-34cm 18-22cm 15-20cm 13cm 11.5-13cm Identifying Grey Range Common misidentifications Thick-billed Grasswrens White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus Rufous Fieldwren Calamanthus campestris leucopterus • Secretive birds that are difficult to see. Rufous Fieldwren are slightly smaller than a grasswren, • Observed running or hopping between shrubs. Grasswrens can easily be confused with have a shorter tail with a pale tip and a pale eyebrow. uncoloured fairy-wrens (right). These Fieldwren have a stronger, repetitive • Sometimes perch briefly before diving back into fairy-wrens are smaller and slighter song and when they perch in a shrub dense cover. with mouse-brown coloured bodies to sing, they often flick their tails back • Flight is less frequent, but when in flight, it is low and a tail with at least some blue and forth, unlike grasswren that keep to the ground, direct and accompanied by rapid colouration. Fairy-wrens behave their tails still. Like grasswren, they can wingbeats and their long tail appears heavy. differently, with their flight pattern be difficult to see but can sometimes more undulating and they often fly be observed perching in a shrub or • Soft, high-pitched call can be difficult to hear. up onto the top of a bush or into a foraging on the ground. However • Observed in pairs or as single birds but can sometimes large shrub. They are also usually they are more easily detected be seen in small groups. seen in larger groups of four or through their song. more individuals. • Shorter, thicker bill than Fairy-wren & Fieldwren..