Heathwren’s Song

The Chestnut-rumped Heathwren Hylacola pyrrhopygia is a rare bird locally, indeed throughout its range in inland Victoria and NSW. So it is exciting to have them resident in the daphne heath around our home in Strangways.

A year or so ago, I hosted a Sunday afternoon Newstead walk on our property, and we all had the delight of first hearing a heathwren giving some very animated mimicry among its call, and then having a pair of them chase each other in circles close around us. It was indeed a WOW moment!

What has frustrated me ever since is trying to get a sound recording of this rare little bird. They only sing infrequently, seldom more than a few times a day, and for less than a minute each time. They seem to be seasonal too, not often being heard in the heat of summer. When they do call, it could be at any time during the day, and rarely during the dawn singing period.

So the only way to capture them has been to set up my recorder among the daphne heath, and set it running for hours at a time. The overcast weather seems a good time for them, and the air was still (for a change!).

Finally, after innumerable attempts, I got one this afternoon!

So here is the Chestnut-rumped Heathwren’s song. As you listen, see if it is at all familiar to you. If you recognise it, even subliminally, then maybe you have heathwrens in your neighbourhood too.

It would be interesting to know of other heathwren colonies in the area. Try memorising the call; its texture, melodies and character. The next time you’re out in the bush you may just hear one.