The varied triller like its better-known relative the white-winged triller, is a smaller member of the cuckoo-shrike family, Campephagidae. Varied trillers prefer warm, reasonably moist environments and are found in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, along much of the tropical and sub-tropical coastal hinterland of eastern Australia, from about the Sydney area to the tip of Cape York Peninsula, in the moister part of the Kimberley, and throughout the Top End.
Region
Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, and along much of coastal northern and eastern Australia from the Top End and Kimberley (moister areas) through Cape York to about the Sydney region. Prefers rainforests, vine thickets, mangroves, and moist eucalypt woodlands, especially forest edges and regrowth. Frequently uses riparian corridors and coastal scrub. In some areas it also enters parks and well-treed suburban gardens.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The varied triller is a small cuckooshrike of warm, moist forests and thickets across New Guinea and northern to eastern Australia. It often forages quietly high in the canopy, giving a rolling, musical trill that carries through the forest. Both sexes share nesting duties, building a neat cup nest well off the ground. It adapts well to edges and secondary growth, and may visit fruiting trees in gardens.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups and may join mixed-species foraging flocks in forest edges. Builds a neat cup nest placed high on a horizontal branch; both sexes incubate and feed young. Generally territorial during breeding but tolerant around rich food sources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, rolling, musical trill delivered from the canopy or mid-storey, often repeated in short bouts. Also gives soft churring notes and contact calls while foraging.
Plumage
Upperparts brownish to grey-brown; underparts pale buff to whitish with fine dark barring giving a scaled look. Subtle pale eyebrow and faint wing edgings; tail often with pale tips. Females are similar or slightly duller; some regional variation in tone and barring.
Diet
Takes a mix of insects and other arthropods gleaned from foliage and twigs, including caterpillars, beetles, and bugs. Also consumes small fruits and berries, especially figs and other soft fruits when available. Occasionally sallies to snatch flying insects near the canopy.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the mid to upper canopy of rainforests, vine thickets, mangroves, and moist eucalypt edges. Regularly visits fruiting trees at forest margins and sometimes in gardens. Often forages methodically along branches and leaf clusters.
