The brown-breasted gerygone or treefern gerygone is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is found in the highlands of New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
New Guinea Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs along the Central Range of New Guinea in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. It uses mossy forest, forest edge, and secondary growth with dense understory, especially where tree ferns are common. Birds forage from understory to mid-canopy, often in sheltered gullies and along forest margins. It may join mixed-species flocks and tolerates lightly disturbed habitats, but remains most common in intact montane forest.
Altitude Range
900–2600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the treefern gerygone, this small warbler-like bird is a member of the Australasian family Acanthizidae. It frequents mossy montane forests and often forages around tree ferns. Like other gerygones, it weaves a pendant, domed nest from fine plant fibers and spider silk. Its soft, tinkling song is often heard before the bird is seen in dense foliage.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups; regularly joins mixed-species flocks while foraging. Builds a hanging, domed nest with a side entrance, suspended from twigs or fronds. Both parents participate in care of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, high-pitched series of tinkling notes and thin trills delivered at intervals from inside foliage. Calls include short chips and seep-like contact notes used while moving through dense understory.
