Rockwarbler

The rockwarbler, is a bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is the only bird species endemic to the mainland of the state of New South Wales in Australia.

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Distribution

Region

Eastern Australia (New South Wales)

Typical Environment

Occurs almost exclusively in sandstone landscapes of New South Wales, including the Sydney Basin, Illawarra escarpment, and the Blue Mountains. Favors rocky gorges, cliff-lines, boulder fields, cave entrances, and rock outcrops within dry sclerophyll forests and heathland. Frequently forages around rock shelves near streams and waterfalls. It can persist in reserves and rugged bushland near urban areas where sandstone is prevalent.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1200 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size13–15 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.017 kg

Female Weight0.016 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Rockwarbler is the only bird species endemic to the mainland of New South Wales, Australia. It is closely tied to sandstone country, often seen bouncing along rock faces while constantly wagging its long tail. Pairs build intricate, domed nests attached to rock overhangs and cave mouths. Its clear, ringing whistles often echo through gorges and cliff-lines.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

active and alert, moderately confiding near frequented rock sites

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with low bounding flights between rock features

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining year-round territories centered on rock complexes. Monogamous pairs construct domed nests with a side entrance attached to rock overhangs or cave walls, lined with fine plant material. Both parents feed the young and may raise more than one brood in a season.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Delivers clear, ringing whistles and trills that carry well and often echo off cliffs. Contact calls are sharp ticks and metallic chips given while foraging among rocks. Males sing from prominent rock perches during the breeding season.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Rodrigues night heron

The Rodrigues night heron is an extinct species of heron that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean. The species was first mentioned as "bitterns" in two accounts from 1691–1693 and 1725–1726, and these were correlated with subfossil remains found and described in the latter part of the 19th century. The bones showed that the bird was a heron, first named Ardea megacephala in 1873, but moved to the night heron genus Nycticorax in 1879 after more remains were described. The specific name megacephala is Greek for "great-headed". Two related extinct species from the other Mascarene islands have also been identified from accounts and remains: the Mauritius night heron and the Réunion night heron.

Rodrigues parrot

The Rodrigues parrot or Leguat's parrot is an extinct species of parrot that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Rodrigues. The species is known from subfossil bones and from mentions in contemporary accounts. It is unclear to which other species it is most closely related, but it is classified as a member of the tribe Psittaculini, along with other Mascarene parrots. The Rodrigues parrot bore similarities to the broad-billed parrot of Mauritius, and may have been related. Two additional species have been assigned to its genus, based on descriptions of parrots from the other Mascarene islands, but their identities and validity have been debated.

Rodrigues rail

The Rodrigues rail, also known as Leguat's gelinote or Leguat's rail, is an extinct species of the rail family that was endemic to the Mascarene island of Rodrigues. The bird was first documented from life by two accounts from 1691–93 and 1725–26. Subfossil remains were later discovered and correlated with the old accounts in 1874, and the species was named E. leguati in Leguat's honour. It is generally kept in its own genus, Erythromachus, but has sometimes been assigned to the genus Aphanapteryx along with its close relative the red rail of Mauritius; their relationship with other rails is unclear.

Rodrigues scops owl

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