Derivation
Stip-it-ür'-us - L., stipes, stipitis, stem; Gk, ura (oura), tail: mallee - name of the district where mallee (a type of vegetation) grows
Habitat
Spinifex on low dunes, with or without an overstorey of low woodland dominated by mallee eucalypts. Sometimes in low mallee heath doinated by teatree, banksia and casuarina.
Population
Estimated population is 1,500 - 2,800 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Clearing for agriculture has resulted in fragmentes habitat and fires in these areas present the greatest threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Singly, but more usually in pairs or small groups. Shy and secretive.
Mallee Emu-wren (Stipiturus mallee) [XC860197]
by Peter Boesman from Old Calder Highway, Hattah, Victoria, Australia (call)
Mallee Emu-wren (Stipiturus mallee) [XC331549]
by Peter Boesman from Hattah, Mildura Rural City, Victoria, Australia (call)
Nest
Roughly spherical, with a slightly hooded side-entrance, composed of spinifex, grass-stems and fibers, bound with cobweb, lined with fur, feathers and plant-down, usually well-hidden in a tussock of spinifex.
Eggs (Guide)
2 - 3; dull white, closely freckled red-brown, mostly at the larger end; long-oval; about 15 x 11 mm. Incubation: by female.
Young
Altricial, nidicolous.
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
In eastern SA where ranges overlap male with male Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus) which has a streaked tawny-rufous crown and rich tawny-buff underparts.
References
See References.
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
BirdLife International Species Factsheet