The brown gerygone, previously known as the brown warbler, is a small passerine bird native to eastern coastal Australia. The upper parts of the brown gerygone are a deep olive-grey or olive-brown, while its face and underparts are a much paler grey, cream, or washed-out brown. The tail feathers are dark and may be white-tipped. It is approximately 10 cm in length.
Region
Eastern Australia
Typical Environment
Found along the eastern seaboard in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, and dense gullies with thick understory. It frequents edges, vine thickets, and riparian corridors and can persist in well-vegetated suburban reserves. The species forages from low to mid canopy, often in shaded interior habitat. It avoids open, arid country and heavily cleared farmland but uses sheltered creeklines and regrowth.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The brown gerygone is a tiny forest songbird of eastern Australia, often heard before it is seen. Its soft, three-note whistle is commonly rendered as “what is it,” repeated from shaded understory. It builds a neat, hanging, domed nest with a side entrance, woven from fine plant fibers and spider silk. Pairs are resident year-round and often join mixed-species foraging flocks.
Temperament
skulking but curious
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently associates with mixed-species feeding flocks. Pairs maintain small territories throughout the year. The nest is a hanging, domed structure with a side entrance, suspended from fine branches or vines; both adults attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, clear, three-note whistle often rendered as “what is it,” repeated at intervals from shaded perches. Also gives gentle trills and tinkling contact notes while foraging.
Plumage
Upperparts olive-brown to olive-grey with paler greyish-cream underparts; soft, plain appearance with fine texture. Tail is dark with distinct white tips. A faint pale eyebrow and slightly darker lores and ear-coverts give a subtle facial pattern.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves and twigs, especially the undersides, and occasionally makes short sallies to snatch flying insects. Foraging is deliberate and methodical in the lower and mid canopy.
Preferred Environment
Dense understory and vine tangles within rainforest and wet eucalypt forest. Also uses riparian thickets, sheltered gullies, and vegetated urban reserves.
