Rufous fieldwren

The rufous fieldwren also known as the desert wren or sandplain wren is a species of insectivorous bird in the family Acanthizidae, endemic to Australia.

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Distribution

Region

Southern Australia

Typical Environment

Found patchily across southern mainland Australia, especially in coastal and inland heaths, mallee shrublands, and sandplain scrub. It favors low, dense vegetation on sandy or loamy soils, including saltbush and samphire around inland saline flats. The species also occurs on coastal dunes and limestone heath. It keeps close to the ground, moving through cover and perching briefly to sing, particularly after rain.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 600 m

Climate Zone

Arid

Characteristics

Size12–15 cm

Wing Span16–20 cm

Male Weight0.016 kg

Female Weight0.015 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The rufous fieldwren is a ground-loving songbird of open heath and shrublands, often running mouse-like through dense cover with its tail cocked. Despite its secretive habits, males deliver a loud, ringing song from exposed perches. Western populations are sometimes treated as a separate species (Western Fieldwren) in some taxonomies. It is primarily insectivorous and plays a role in controlling invertebrate populations.

Gallery

Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia

Rufous fieldwren

Striated fieldwren

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with low, fluttering flights

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining territories year-round. Nests are built low in dense shrubs or grasses, typically domed with a side entrance. Breeding is mostly in spring to early summer, often following good rains, and both adults tend the young.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A loud, ringing series of trills and clear whistles delivered from a low perch or shrub top. Calls include sharp ticks and chatters given from cover. Song carries well across open heath and is used for territory advertisement.

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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

Rufous gnateater

The rufous gnateater is a passerine bird of the gnateater family, Conopophagidae. It is found in forest understory and bushes in eastern Brazil from Rio Grande do Sul north to central Brazil. Its range also extends into eastern Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina and it has recently been recorded in Uruguay. It is often elusive and hard to see, but is commoner and less shy than other gnateaters.

Rufous hornbill

The rufous hornbill, also known as the Philippine hornbill and locally as kalaw, is a large species of hornbill endemic to the Philippines. They are referred by locals as the "clock-of-the-mountains" due to its large booming call which typically occurs every hour. They inhabit moist tropical lowland forest areas. They are now considered to be a threatened species. Its reasons for decline include habitat destruction, hunting and poaching for the illegal pet trade.

Rufous hornero

The rufous hornero is a medium-sized ovenbird in the family Furnariidae. It occurs in eastern South America and is the national bird of Argentina. Also known as the red ovenbird, it is common in savannas, second-growth scrub, pastures, and agricultural land and is synanthropic. Its range includes midwestern, southeastern, and southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern and central Argentina, extending as far south as northern Patagonia. The species is most closely related to the crested hornero of Paraguay and Argentina. There are four accepted subspecies.