Chirruping Wedgebill

The Chirruping Wedgebill, Psophodes cristatus, is a medium-sized bird endemic to Australia, notable for its slim upright crest and long rounded tail. Adults exhibit pale brown upperparts and white to pale grey underparts, with flight feathers edged in white and a dark black-brown tail tipped in white. The bill is dark and wedge-shaped in mature birds, and horn-coloured in juveniles.

Identification Tips

To distinguish the Chirruping Wedgebill from its close relative, the Chiming Wedgebill, look for faint breast streaking, a slightly longer tail, and listen for its repetitive chirruping call. Juveniles can be identified by their buff-tipped flight feathers.

Habitat

This species thrives in low, open shrublands, particularly those dominated by acacia species, bluebush, emu bush, and lignum.

Distribution

The Chirruping Wedgebill is found in south-eastern inland Australia. Its distribution is patchy, but it is locally abundant in suitable habitats.

Behaviour

Territorial throughout the year, the Chirruping Wedgebill is generally sedentary, with adults forming small flocks. Juveniles may form larger, loose foraging flocks and are more mobile. The species is known for being unobtrusive and reserved, engaging in short flights or running between cover while foraging.

Song & Calls

The species performs an antiphonal duet, with the male's call resembling a sitzi-cheeri, akin to the budgerigar's rolling chirrup, and the female responding with an upward rolling r-e-e-e-t CHEER. Alternatively described as "sparrow-like and repetitive," with a male chirrrp and a female response of ee cheer.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of seeds and insects, which are foraged from the ground and vegetation.

Breeding

Breeding seasons occur from March to May, August to November, and after rainfall. Nests are loose, shallow cups made of grass, twigs, and bark, situated in dense trees or shrubs. Two to three blue-green eggs with dark blotches are laid, with incubation details remaining unknown.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Chirruping Wedgebill as Least Concern, indicating a stable population.