The striated thornbill is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is endemic to Australia, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Region
Eastern and Southeastern Australia
Typical Environment
Found from southeastern Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania, with populations across the Great Dividing Range. Prefers eucalypt forests and woodlands, including both wet and dry sclerophyll habitats, as well as coastal heaths and gullies. Frequently uses the canopy and outer foliage, and can persist in regrowth forests and larger urban parks with mature native trees. Local abundance varies with tree structure and availability of arthropod prey.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny, active foliage-gleaner, the striated thornbill often forages high in eucalypt canopies and joins mixed-species flocks with pardalotes and other thornbills. It constructs a domed nest of bark strips, plant fibers, and spider silk with a side entrance. Its fine streaking on the crown and breast helps distinguish it from similar thornbills. By consuming psyllids and other insects, it helps reduce leaf damage in eucalypt forests.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually in pairs or small groups that often join mixed-species feeding flocks in the canopy. Nests are domed and suspended or supported in foliage, built from bark, plant fibers, and spider silk. Some populations exhibit cooperative behaviors, with helpers assisting breeding pairs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin trills and rapid twittering phrases delivered in short bursts. Contact calls are soft, sibilant notes used to maintain group cohesion while foraging.
Plumage
Olive-brown above with a finely streaked pale crown; underparts buff to off-white with fine dark streaking on the throat and breast. Wings and tail are dusky with paler edges, and the face can show subtle rufous-buff tones. Feathers are neat and smooth, giving a compact appearance.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods including psyllids, lerps, scale insects, caterpillars, and spiders. Gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and bark, often hanging acrobatically among outer foliage. Will occasionally take tiny seeds or nectar incidentally while foraging but remains chiefly insectivorous.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly in the mid to upper canopy of eucalypt forests and woodlands. Also uses forest edges, heaths, and gullies, and can exploit regrowth and mature urban plantings of native trees.
