The large-billed gerygone is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae found in northern Australia and New Guinea.
Region
Australo-Papuan region
Typical Environment
Found along northern Australia from the Kimberley through the Top End to Cape York, and widely in New Guinea’s lowlands. It favors coastal mangrove forests, monsoon forests, paperbark swamps, and riparian thickets. Birds often forage in the midstory to canopy along tidal creeks and estuaries. Nest sites are commonly placed in mangroves or over sheltered water to reduce predator access.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small passerine is closely tied to mangroves and coastal lowland forests in northern Australia and New Guinea. Its relatively long, slender bill is adapted for picking tiny insects from foliage and bark. It builds a neat, pear-shaped, hanging nest—often suspended over water—with a side entrance and a trailing tail of fibers.
Temperament
skulking but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Pairs are territorial during breeding and construct a pendant, domed nest with a side entrance. The nest is lined with fine plant fibers and often hung over water to deter predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, sweet, tinkling series of notes delivered in short phrases, often repeated from concealed perches. Calls include thin, high ‘tsip’ contact notes and soft trills during foraging.
Plumage
Plain gray-brown to olive-brown upperparts with paler, creamy-buff underparts and a whitish throat; subtly warmer buff on the flanks. Feathers are smooth and sleek, giving a neat, clean look. A faint pale eyebrow and slightly darker lores create a modest facial mask.
Diet
Primarily small insects and other arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, flies, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and bark, and occasionally makes short sallies to snatch flying insects. It may also take small larvae from rolled leaves in mangroves.
Preferred Environment
Forages in mangrove canopy and midstory, as well as adjacent coastal thickets and riparian edges. Frequently works along tidal creeks and sheltered estuaries where insect abundance is high.
