Tasmanian Thornbill

About the Tasmanian Thornbill

The Tasmanian Thornbill (Acanthiza ewingii) is a small bushland member of the Acanthizidae (Australian warbler) family, endemic to Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands. It is a common bird in these regions and is often found occupying the colder, wetter portions of them. The brown thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla) will typically occupy the correspondingly drier portions of habitat.

The Tasmanian Thornbill is olive-brown above, darkening toward the back and tail, and can exhibit a patch of reddish-brown colouration on the forehead. The wings are dark grey with olive-brown edge lining. Grey on light grey scalloping is present from the chin to breast, with similar scalloping occurring on the sides of the head. The bill, feet, and legs are all dark grey and the eyes are distinctly large and dark, with red irises.

It's long, thin, thorn-shaped beak is a distinguishing characteristic of the Acanthiza (thornbill) family. Visibly fluffy, white under-tail coverts are a distinguishing feature of the species. The Tasmanian Thornbill averages in size at around 10 cm and shows no significant coloration or size differentiation between sexes. Wikipedia →