The chestnut-rumped heathwren is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is endemic to temperate and subtropical forests and heathlands of Australia.
Region
Southeast Australia
Typical Environment
Found patchily across dense heathlands, mallee scrub, and shrubby eucalypt woodlands of southern Australia, especially where there is a thick, near-ground understory. It favors coastal heath and inland mallee with abundant leaf litter and low shrubs for cover. The species avoids open ground, moving by short, low flights between bushes. After fire, it recolonizes as vegetation structure returns, preferring mid-successional stages with dense cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive ground-dwelling heath specialist, it often stays hidden in dense shrubs, flashing its distinctive chestnut rump only when it darts between cover. Pairs keep low and communicate with clear, tinkling songs and sharp calls. Habitat loss, frequent intense fires, and fragmentation can locally depress populations, even though the species remains fairly widespread overall.
Temperament
shy and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low darting flights between cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories year-round. They nest low in dense shrubs or tussocks, constructing a well-hidden domed or cup nest. Breeding occurs mainly in spring to early summer, with both parents involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, tinkling series of whistles and trills delivered from low perches or within shrubs. Calls include sharp ticks and soft contact notes used to stay in touch while moving through cover.
Plumage
Upperparts are brown with fine streaking; underparts buff to off-white with diffuse streaks on the breast and flanks. The long, graduated tail shows dark barring and is often cocked. A rich chestnut rump is conspicuous in flight.
Diet
Primarily hunts insects and other small arthropods, including beetles, ants, spiders, and larvae. It gleans from leaf litter, probes among twigs and bark at low levels, and occasionally snaps prey from the ground. Seeds or small berries may be taken opportunistically but form a minor part of the diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense heath and mallee understorey with plentiful leaf litter and fallen branches. Often stays within a meter of the ground, using cover to move and feed unobtrusively.
