Crested Bellbird

The Crested Bellbird, or Oreoica gutturalis, presents a striking figure in the arid landscapes of Australia. This medium-sized passerine, belonging to the family Oreoicidae, is characterized by its sexual dimorphism. The male, approximately 20 cm in length, boasts a grey head adorned with a black crest, a white forehead, and throat, and a contrasting black breast. The rest of its plumage is a blend of grey or olive brown. The female and juvenile, while similar in form, are more subdued in coloration, lacking the black breast and sporting a less prominent crest. Both sexes share the distinctive feature of orange-red eyes.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify the Crested Bellbird, look for the male's raised black crest and prominent black breast, which are key distinguishing features. The female and juvenile can be more challenging to identify due to their less conspicuous markings, but the smaller, unraised black crest and the absence of a black breast can aid in recognition. The orange-red eyes are a common trait to watch for in both sexes.

Habitat

The Crested Bellbird thrives in the drier parts of Australia, favoring habitats such as acacia scrublands, eucalypt woodlands, spinifex grasslands, saltbush plains, and dunes. These birds are well-adapted to their semi-arid environments.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across the Australian continent, particularly in regions west of the Great Dividing Range, the southern tropics, through South Australia, and to the western coast. It avoids the far north, humid east, and the extreme southwestern areas.

Behaviour

Crested Bellbirds are generally sedentary or locally nomadic. They are often solitary foragers but may feed in pairs during the breeding season or join mixed feeding flocks. Their foraging behavior includes rapid hopping on the ground and short flights between low shrubs or tree branches.

Song & Calls

The call of the Crested Bellbird is a high-pitched, bell-like sound that carries over long distances. The male's song consists of two slow notes followed by three rapid ones, reminiscent of a tinkling bell. Duetting is common, with the male and female engaging in a call-and-response pattern. The bird's ventriloquial abilities can make locating it by sound alone quite challenging.

Breeding

During the breeding season, which typically spans from August to December, pairs form and construct deep, cup-shaped nests. These nests are built from small twigs and bark, lined with finer materials, and placed within two meters of the ground. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs, which are white or bluish, lightly blotched with brown and grey. Clutches usually contain one to four eggs.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Crested Bellbird consists of seeds and small invertebrates. They exhibit agility in their movements, hopping rapidly on the ground or flitting between low vegetation in search of food.

Conservation status

While the Crested Bellbird is not considered threatened on a national level, it is listed as near threatened in Victoria due to habitat fragmentation and loss. The species has experienced a significant contraction in range within this region, highlighting the importance of habitat conservation for its continued survival.