White-throated Treecreeper

Overview

The white-throated treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea) is a small passerine bird native to the forests of eastern Australia. It is distinct from northern hemisphere treecreepers and is considered to be of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Small passerine measuring 13–17 cm in length with a wingspan of 19–26 cm and weighing an average of 22 g.
• Predominantly brown and white plumage, featuring a white throat and breast, a barred dark-brown and white belly, and dark greyish-brown upperparts with a buff patch on the wings.
• Black bill and feet, with the female displaying a pale orange-brown cheek patch and immature birds showing an orange-brown rump.
• Unlike other treecreepers, it lacks a pale eyebrow, and its call is described as a shrill peeping.

Habitat

Found from the Gulf St Vincent in South Australia, through Victoria, and eastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland, with a range extending north from Mount Spec to Cooktown. The species prefers wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest habitats.

Diet

Predominantly insectivorous and eating mainly ants, though it will also consume nectar and has been observed feeding on bracket fungus. It forages by gleaning and peering, or by drilling in dead wood, with a preference for rough-barked eucalypts such as the red stringybark.

Did you know?

The bird is called 'Dilmun' in the Gathang language of the Worimi people and serves as the totem for Worimi women.