FeatherScan logo
FeatherScan
Overview
Opalton grasswren

Opalton grasswren

Wikipedia

The Opalton grasswren is an insectivorous bird in the family Maluridae. It is found in the Forsyth Range, Queensland, Australia. Formerly considered a sub-species of the striated grasswren, then known as the rusty grasswren. It is found around the opal mining area of Opalton and Lark Quarry south of Winton, Western Queensland. It was named as a full species by the I.O.C. in July 2020.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Central-western Queensland, Australia

Typical Environment

Occurs in arid to semi-arid spinifex (Triodia) grasslands on stony hills, breakaways, and lateritic slopes of the Forsyth Range and nearby country. Prefers dense, mature spinifex hummocks interspersed with low acacia and shrub cover. Often uses rocky gullies and the edges of gibber and sandy plains where cover is continuous. Avoids extensive open ground and recently burnt areas. Distribution is naturally patchy and closely tied to fire history and rainfall cycles.

Altitude Range

150–450 m

Climate Zone

Arid

Characteristics

Size14–17 cm
Wing Span18–22 cm
Male Weight0.022 kg
Female Weight0.02 kg
Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Opalton grasswren was elevated to full species by the IOC in 2020 after long being treated within the striated grasswren complex (formerly called the rusty grasswren). It is extremely localized around the Opalton and Lark Quarry area south of Winton, Queensland, and is highly dependent on long-unburnt spinifex. The species is notoriously skulking, darting between hummocks and rarely flying far. Altered fire regimes and heavy grazing can fragment its already patchy habitat.

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground

Social Behavior

Typically encountered in pairs or small family groups maintaining year-round territories. Nests are dome-shaped structures tucked within dense spinifex hummocks. Likely socially monogamous, with both sexes participating in territory defense and discreet contact calls. Young often remain with parents for a period after fledging.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a soft, tinkling series of high-pitched notes and trills delivered from within cover. Calls include thin contact notes and sharper scolds when alarmed. Vocalizations are subdued and can be easily missed in windy conditions.

Similar Bird Species

Orange bullfinch
Native

Orange bullfinch

The orange bullfinch is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae. It is found in India and Pakistan. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.

Orange chat
Endemic

Orange chat

The orange chat is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is endemic to Australia.

Orange dove
Endemic

Orange dove

The orange dove or orange fruit dove is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. One of the most colorful doves, the male has a golden olive head and elongated bright orange "hair-like" body feathers. The golden-olive remiges are typically covered by the long orange wing coverts when perched. The legs, bill and orbital skin are bluish-green and the iris is whitish. The female is a dark green bird with blackish tail and orange-yellow undertail coverts. The young resemble females.

Orange ground thrush
Resident

Orange ground thrush

The orange ground thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae.

Orange minivet
Resident

Orange minivet

The orange minivet is a brightly colored bird in the cuckooshrike family, Campephagidae. It is found all along the Western Ghats and west coast of India and Sri Lanka. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the scarlet minivet which is considered to have a wider distribution in eastern and northern India and South-east Asia. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. The orange minivet is a species resident in southern India and Sri Lanka, that feeds primarily on insects while foraging in mixed-species bird flocks or in small single-species groups.

Orange oriole
Endemic

Orange oriole

The orange oriole is a small bird species with orange feathers native to the Icteridae family in the Yucatán Peninsula. It has a slender body, long wings, and a pointed beak. Its color resembles the fruit orange, and it has black markings on its wings and tail. The orange oriole is known for its song and can be found in forests and gardens. They have a diverse diet that contributes to their color. According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Birds of the World, they have suggested that this species might be better named the "Yucatan Oriole" because they are only found in Southeast Mexico. This species is not endangered and least threatened.