Mallee Emu-wren (species: Stipiturus mallee) in Australian Birds (Gaia Guide)
Stipiturus mallee
Mallee Emu-wren


©Tony Morris: Mallee Emu-wren (Stipiturus mallee)
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Passeriformes
Family Maluridae
Genus Stipiturus
Species Stipiturus mallee
Status vulnerable

Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

The adult male Mallee Emu-wren has olive-brown upperparts with dark streaks, and a pale rufous unstreaked crown, and grey-brown wings. It has a sky blue throat, upper chest, lores and ear coverts. The lores and ear coverts are streaked with black, and there is white streaking under the eye. Though still long, the tail is not as long as in other emu-wrens, and is composed of six filamentous feathers, the central two of which are longer than the lateral ones. The underparts are pale brown. The bill is black, and the feet and eyes are brown. The female resembles the male but lacks blue plumage. Its crown is paler red and it has white lores. Its bill is dark brown (Wikipedia).

Size

  • Up to 16.5 cm (Head to tail)

Wingspan

  • Wingspan data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Mallee Emu-wren (Stipiturus mallee)

Distribution and habitat preferences

The Mallee Emu-wren is restricted to open mallee woodland with spinifex understory in northwestern Victoria and southeastern South Australia. This region is rich in Triodia or as it is commonly known spinifex. The spinifex grass often grows to 1 meter in height and provides the optimal habitat for the Mallee Emu Wren. (Wikipedia)

Web resources