Brown Thornbill

Although it is common and widely distributed in eastern Australia and Tasmania, the Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla) is not a conspicuous bird and is rarely seen on the ground. On the other hand, it is rather inquisitive and will usually come out if you make squeaking noises. Its plumage varies from warm brown to olive brown above and olive-buff to yellowish-white on the flanks. All Brown Thornbills have buff scallops on the forehead, a large dark red eye and blackish arrow-streaks on a grey throat/breast. It is an active little bird which forages in lower branches and undergrowth and tends to hang and flutter and flirt its tail when flying. An able mimic, it can even imitate the chatter given by a flock of rosellas.

The Brown Thornbill looks very similar to several other species of Thornbill, but there are a few ways you can differentiate them. The Tasmanian Thornbill has rufous edges to the wing feathers. The eye of the Striated Thornbill is pale brown, as opposed to the deep red of the Brown Thornbill. The Inland Thornbill has a red-brown rump, whilst the Brown Thornbill’s is tawny.