Arid and semi-arid regions of Australia: much of western and central Western Australia (including Great Sandy and Gibson Deserts) east to extreme southern Northern Territory, and patchily in South Australia, south-western Queensland and western New South Wales.
Cenral Australia, including inland areas of all states, possibly excluding Queensland, extending to near the coast in mid-western Australia.
Nest
Round, with a side entrance, composed of bark-fiber and grass, sometimes lined with feathers, usually placed in a low bush close to the ground, but sometimes in a hollow log.
Eggs (Guide)
3 - 4; purplish brown, darker at the larger end. Incubation: by female only.
Young
Altricial, nidicolous. Fledge in more than 13 days. Fed by both parents.
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Some DNA traits and structural similarities suggest that closest relationship is with Speckled Warbler (Pyrrholaemus sagittatus).
Similar Species
Usually unmistakable but in brief glimpses possibly with Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis), Slaty-backed Thornbill (Acanthiza robustirostris) or Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) which are distinctly smaller, have shorter tails and slightly shorter and stouter bills.
Compare Images
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet