Time well spent

Yesterday I spent some ‘quality time’ with a pair of one of my favourite woodland birds – the Chestnut-rumped Heathwren.

While they remain reasonably common in suitable habitat throughout the Muckleford bush they are shy and difficult to photograph. Most views are had as they run ‘mouse-like’ through the understorey. I’ve had success by sitting quietly, sometimes for more than an hour and waiting for better views as they become accustomed to my presence.

The following series of images are of a male Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, showing some of its distinctive features and behaviour. The females are less strongly marked with buff tones on the ‘eye-brow’ and underneath. The males tend to be more curious and willing to venture into the open.

I have a theory, completely unproven, that this species breeds quite early in the season, as in my experience they are quite vocal in the early winter as they establish their territories. Their territories shift subtly from year to year but always feature good quality understorey, often dominated by heath as well as fallen wood.

From late spring through summer they can be hard to find, although they do occasionally venture to water to quench their thirst.

Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Muckleford State Forest, 3rd May 2024

Rufous uppertail-coverts

Distinct streaking on the throat and breast, and white supercilium

Orange-brown iris

Typical view of this furtive species

They are mainly ground foragers but will also chase insects low in shrubs

About to scuttle off into the undergrowth – the rufous uppertail-coverts on show