Western Grasswren

Dickschnabel Grasswren ( Amytornis textilis )

The Thick-billed Grasswren ( Amytornis textilis ), also sometimes referred to as Thick-billed grass - singer, is a passerine bird of the family of the Australian singer ( Maluridae ).

Description

The length is 16.5 cm to 19 cm. The wing length in males 6.3 cm to 6.9 cm and in females from 6.3 to 6.6 cm. The tail is 8.6 cm to 9.2 cm long in males and between 8.2 cm and 8.8 in females. The females can weigh 21 to 18 grams and the males weigh 19-26 grams.

The Thick-billed Grasswren is a stocky bird. The reddish-brown top is covered with bright spring strands especially around the face and neck around. The beak is strong and conical. Unlike its closest relatives, the strip Grasswren ( Amytornis striatus), missing the black whiskers with him. Another feature is a reddish stain on the lower breast of the male.

Dissemination

There are three subspecies. Amytornis textilis textilis occurs in Western Australia, Amytornis textilis is myall from the Gawler Ranges in South Australia and Amytornis textilis modestus is widespread in eastern Australia.

Habitat and behavior

The habitat of the large -billed grass panties are dunes, coastal plains, sand plains and acacia savannas with limestone floors. The eastern subspecies adheres preferentially in savannas with Gänsefußgewächsen ( Chenopodium ), Sign ( Atriplex ) and salt plants of the genus Maireana on. The nest of the large -billed grass panties is made ​​of plant material, in particular of dry grass and narrow strips of bark and can be located up to one meter above the ground. The entrance to the nest is located within the highest vegetation. There are two breeding seasons. The one is from March to May and the other from August to January. The nest consists of two to three light pink eggs that are speckled brown and gray.

The site- faithful bird is usually in the early morning or late afternoon in search of food. Its diet consists of seeds, berries and small beetles. The couple can roam in grounds of 40 ha.

Endangering

During the early 20th century, in part, sharp declines were recorded. The western subspecies was supplanted from most of their range and limited to the area of Shark Bay ( Shark Bay ). Their population currently stands at 21,500 copies. From the southern subspecies are about 10,000 copies. From the eastern subspecies, there is a population of approximately 20,000 individuals. The main reasons for the decline were habitat destruction by grazing livestock herds, competition from imported rabbits, rigorous bush fires, predation by introduced predators, combined pressure from habitat alteration and drainage as well as the destruction of natural vegetation.