Tasmanian Thornbill

Averaging 10 centimeters in length, the Tasmanian Thornbill is a small bird. Primarily light brown in coloration, the bird has a white undertail and a grey-streaked breast.

The Tasmanian Thornbill is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Tasmanian Thornbill at nest. Tasmanian Thornbill at nest. Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum Distribution map of Acanthiza ewingii Distribution map of Acanthiza ewingii Map © Birds Australia Birdata Did you know? Reverend Thomas J. Ewing (d.1876) for whom this bird is named was the headmaster of the Queen's Orphan Schools, Tasmania. John Gould (who first described the bird) stayed with Rev. Ewing during his visit to Tasmania in 1838-39. More

The Tasmanian Thornbill (Acanthiza ewingii) is a small brown bird only found in Tasmania and the islands in the Bass Strait. It is a common bird in these regions, often found in rainforests, wet forests, and scrublands. It occurs exclusively in cold and wet areas. Its diet revolves primarily around small insects, which it scrounges up and feeds on close to the ground. Averaging 10 centimeters in length, the Tasmanian Thornbill is a small bird. More

compete: a Tasmanian thornbill took on Bob Brown, a yellow-throated honeyeater accompanied Richard Flanagan and a grey shrike-thrush stuck up a duet with TV gardening personality Peter Cundall ... DONALD KNOWLER If you don't yet appreciate Australian flora, at least you've learned the great Aussie tradition of stirring the possum! In that spirit I look forward to reading your book, and hope to be at the launch (Tonight, Thursday, April 1, 2004, Hobart Bookshop, Salamanca, 5.30pm). More

bird tour company claiming Tasmanian Thornbill at Peter Murrell. Recently I read another trip report - by a very experienced birder, but on their first visit to Tas - claiming the same thing. More

Tasmanian Thornbills in are as and habitat that are not "usual"-no names, no pack drill! While I'd not like to say that they could never occur at these sites, they appear to be recorded by visitors to this state, which makes me 'uneasy'! I'm not setting myself up as an expert, merely hoping that the accompanying images will help separate two similar species. Tasmanians on the left, Browns on the right. More

The Tasmanian thornbill is very easily confused with the remarkably similar Brown thornbill. Small distinguishing features, such as the Tasmanian thornbill’s more uniformly chestnut forehead and paler underparts, are only able to be observed at close quarters. The Tasmanian thornbill has a preference for wet rainforests but can also be found occassionally in dryer areas, especially in winter. It is often found fairly close to the ground where it feeds on small insects. More

Tasmanian Thornbill occurs in cold-wet habitats. With the Brown Thornbill, A. pusilla, it represents a double invasion of Tasmania by birds derived from a common stock. Although the two are similar in appearance, the Tasmanian Thornbill has differentiated more from mainland forms and is regarded as a full species. The Brown Thornbill has differentiated only at a subspecies level which suggests it was later reaching Tasmania. This is substantiated by distinct habitat variations. More

The Tasmanian Thornbill is a tiny bird (around 1 centimetres/four inches) with a grey breast and white underparts. It has a distinctive call: ‘zit zit zit whoorl’. The bird is found in wet forest. It sometimes covers its nest with moss and lays three or four pinkish-white lightly freckled eggs. Tasmanian Thornbill © Bill Wakefield Privacy & Disclaimer | About This Site | Contact Us | Sitemap The official holiday, travel and bookings website for Tasmania, Australia. More

The Tasmanian Thornbill is only found in Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands. It is a small (100mm), brown bird similar to the Brown Thornbill. The throat and breast are streaked with grey and white. The white undertail distinguishes this species from the Brown Thornbill. The sexes are alike. Habitat The species is common and occurs in rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests and wet scrub. More

The Tasmanian Thornbill has longer legs, a shorter beak and paler underparts than the Brown Thornbill. The undertail coverts are pure white on this bird, wheras the Brown Thornbill has buff coloured under tail coverts. The call is a 'zit zit zit whooorl'. More