Cinnamon Quail-thrush

The cinnamon quail-thrush, a small to medium-sized bird endemic to Australia, is a master of camouflage in its arid homeland. With a body length of 20 cm and a weight of up to 50 grams, this species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The male is distinguished by a striking white eyebrow, a black face, and a broad white streak flanking a black throat. Its upperparts are a plain cinnamon-rufous, accented with buff-white patches on the upper breast and a bold black band below. The outer tail feathers are black with white tips. Females, while similar, are somewhat duller with a buff-white throat and eyebrow, a grey upper breast, and lack the black underparts. Juvenile birds share these markings, though males may display a less distinct breast band.

Identification Tips

When identifying the cinnamon quail-thrush, look for the male's distinctive white eyebrow and the broad white streak beside the black throat. The cinnamon-rufous upperparts are also a key feature. Females and juveniles can be identified by their duller coloration and the absence of black on the underside.

Habitat

This bird favors the arid and semi-arid regions of central Australia, thriving in grass and shrublands. However, it is more commonly observed in dry stony areas, particularly around dry creek lines.

Distribution

The cinnamon quail-thrush has a distribution size of approximately 831,000 square kilometers, spanning across southwest Queensland, northwest New South Wales, northeastern South Australia, and the southeast of the Northern Territory.

Behaviour

On the ground, the cinnamon quail-thrush is more inclined to squat or run rather than take flight when disturbed, indicating its preference for terrestrial locomotion over aerial.

Song & Calls

The calls of the cinnamon quail-thrush are high-pitched and slightly hissing, adding an auditory element to its elusive nature.

Breeding

During the breeding season, typically from July to September, males can be heard singing continuously at daybreak. Nests are cup-shaped, built on the ground in depressions and lined with bark strips, fine grass, or sticks. These nests are often nestled amongst rocky areas, against fallen branches, or under sparse vegetation. Clutches usually consist of two or three eggs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the cinnamon quail-thrush consists of a wide range of invertebrates, including grasshoppers, bugs, beetles, flies, and ants, as well as seeds from both native and introduced plant species. They forage exclusively on the ground.

Conservation status

The cinnamon quail-thrush is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although the population has not been quantified, there is concern that it may be experiencing a slow decline due to habitat degradation from livestock and introduced herbivores.