Brown Thornbill

Scientific Name: Acanthiza pusilla

Description: The small Brown Thornbill is reasonably common, but not well recognised. It has olive-brown to grey underparts with a tawny-brown crown and rump. The chest and throat have striations of dark streaks and the eyes are dark red. The sexes are similar.

The call of these small birds has several characteristic bass notes which, once learnt, can be a very useful aid to the identification of another ‘little brown bird’. They make a pleasant song as small family groups flitter about in the bushy undergrowth of the Bluff or search for insects in the foliage of trees. Generally in shrubby layers, sometimes in trees and rarely, if ever, on the ground.

They are considered by some to be uninteresting, but they have the cheekiest of personalities and are often not difficult to find amongst the vegetation. They feed mainly on insects, but sometimes seeds, nectar or fruit.

Type: Bird
Where to find: Dense shrubby habitats, along watercourses and in urban areas.
Size: 10cm