The Papuan grassbird is a species of typical grassbird in the family Locustellidae. The species was once treated as several subspecies of the tawny grassbird, but the two do not interbreed where their ranges are sympatric. The species is endemic to New Guinea and its satellite islands. There are seven subspecies ranging across montane areas of New Guinea, New Britain and New Ireland. It is a fairly large typical grassbird, 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in) long and weighing 40 g (1.4 oz).
Region
New Guinea and Bismarck Archipelago
Typical Environment
Occurs across the New Guinea highlands and on New Britain and New Ireland. It inhabits tall montane grasslands, sedge beds, and shrubby edges near forest margins. The species also uses overgrown clearings, landslides, and valley bottoms with dense rank grass. It keeps close to cover and rarely ventures into short or grazed swards.
Altitude Range
800–3000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Papuan grassbird is a large typical grassbird of the family Locustellidae, endemic to New Guinea and nearby islands. It was formerly lumped with the tawny grassbird but is now recognized as distinct where the two meet without interbreeding. It favors tall, dense grasslands in montane zones and often remains hidden, revealing itself mainly by song. Several subspecies occupy different highland ranges and the Bismarck Archipelago.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over vegetation
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs, holding territories in dense grass. During breeding, males sing from exposed stems or low shrubs while foraging remains mostly concealed. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in thick grass; likely 2–3 eggs per clutch with both parents contributing to care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a high, thin series of trills and reeling notes with an insect-like quality, delivered from within or just above cover. Calls include sharp ticks and thin seep notes, repeated at intervals, especially at dawn and dusk.
Plumage
Warm tawny-brown upperparts with darker streaking, long graduated tail, and paler buff underparts with faint breast streaking. Wings are short and rounded; overall appearance is plain and well camouflaged for grassland.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other small invertebrates, including beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans and probes among stems and leaf litter and will make short sallies to snatch prey. Occasional small seeds may be consumed incidentally.
Preferred Environment
Feeds within dense, tall grasses, sedges, and rushes, and along shrubby margins of montane clearings. Often forages close to the ground or low in the vegetation, keeping well concealed.
