Southern Emu-wren

Overview

The southern emu-wren is a bird species in the Australasian wren family Maluridae, endemic to Australia. It is one of three species in the genus Stipiturus, with up to eleven subspecies described across the continent. The bird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, although some subspecies face localised threats.

Identification

• Adult males display rusty-brown upper parts with black streaks, a reddish crown, and grey-brown wings.
• The throat, upper chest, and eyebrows are distinctively sky-blue.
• The tail is double the body length and consists of six filamentous feathers, with the central pair being longer than the outer ones.
• Males have a black bill with brown feet and eyes, while females are darker, more streaked, lack the blue plumage, and have a brown bill with a pale grey base.

Habitat

The species inhabits temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, marshes, low heathland, and dune areas, as well as swamplands in some populations. Its range covers southern and central Australia, including the eastern coastline, Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, and parts of South Australia and Western Australia.

Did you know?

The southern emu-wren derives its common name from its soft, loosely barbed tail feathers that resemble those of the emu, the irony being that the emu-wrens are among the smallest of Australian birds, while the emu is the largest.