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Shy Heathwren  Heathwrens are similar in appearance to fairy-wrens, being small, cocked-tailed birds. The Shy Heathwren has a dark greyish-brown crown and back. The crown is in bold contrast to the clean, white eyebrow. The rump and tail coverts are a striking, fiery rufous-chestnut. The tail darkens towards the tip, from chestnut to dark brown, and culminates in a white tail-tip. The under-tail coverts are chestnut. The underparts are white and heavily streaked with dark brown. The flanks are white or pale grey. The flight feathers are white at the base, obvious in flight and when the wing is folded. The eye is brown or yellowish-brown, the legs slate-brown and the bill black. The female is slighter duller and immatures are slightly duller than females, sometimes fawn below. Birds have a total length of 11 - 14 cm.
Distribution
Occurs as two isolated populations, one in central NSW between Leeton, Willandra, Nymagee and West Wyalong, and the other in south-west NSW from Balranald to Trentham Cliffs, north into the Scotia Mallee.
Habitat and ecology Inhabits mallee woodlands with a relatively dense understorey of shrubs and heath plants. Occupies vegetation with a post fire age of four to 40 years, but is most abundant in areas with a post fire age of four to eight years. Feeds on the ground, almost entirely on insects (cockroaches, grasshoppers, bugs, lerps, beetles, weevils, caterpillars, moths, ants, spiders and insect eggs) and rarely on seeds, including those of saltbush. Builds a dome-shaped nest in a concealed location on the ground, using a variety of plant materials.
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