Eastern Bristlebird
Scientific Name: Dasyornis brachypterus
Size: 21 cm
What does it look like?
The Eastern Bristlebird is a medium-sized secretive bird. It is dull brownish above, with reddish wings, and pale greyish below, becoming more whitish on the throat.
Where is it found?
Occurs in four geographically isolated populations within three regions of eastern Australia. Northern population in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern NSW, the central populations occur in the Illawarra and Jervis Bay regions of eastern NSW, and southern population in eastern Victoria.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Eastern Bristlebird is found near dense, predominantly coastal, vegetation, where it feeds on the ground on ants and other insects. It is a secretive, predominantly terrestrial species, with short stiff bristles at the base of the bill, and a long tail, and is most often seen running through clearings or across walking trails. It rarely flies. During the breeding season (August to February) the male is strongly territorial, and two eggs are laid in a dome-shaped nest that is constructed in dense shrubbery close to the ground.
This species features in my book Australia’s Birdwatching Megaspots
