Brown Gerygone.
Photo: Adam Bridger © OzBirds
Distribution map of Gerygone mouki
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Brown Gerygone
Scientific name: Gerygone mouki
Family: Pardalotidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Small insect-eating birds
What does it look like?
Description
The Brown Gerygone is a small bird, olive-grey (race richmondi, in south) to buff-brown (race mouki, in north) above, with a pale grey face and underparts, with the flanks washed brown. It has a long white eyebrow and a red-brown eye. The tail band is dark and the tail tips are white. It is usually seen in pairs or small parties, fluttering around foliage. Also known as the Brown Warbler.
Similar species
The Brown Gerygone is similar to both the Large-billed, G. magnirostris, and Mangrove,G. levigaster, Gerygones. It differs from the former by having a distinctive white eyebrow and a grey-tinged face. The Mangrove Gerygone, while having a white eyebrow, lacks the grey face, has more white on the flanks and has a redder eye.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Brown Gerygone is found along the east coast of Australia, in two disjunct (unconnected) ranges: the northern race, mouki, is found north from Tully, Queensland at altitudes above 250 metres; the southern race, richmondi, is found south from Cooktown, Queensland to Sale, Victoria.
Habitat
The Brown Gerygone is found in coastal and mountain rainforest, wet gullies and mangroves. It has been seen in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.
Seasonal movements
Sedentary.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Brown Gerygone forages at all heights of the canopy, snapping up flying insects while fluttering around the foliage.
Breeding
The Brown Gerygone builds a rounded dome nest with a tapering 'tail' from roots, plant fibres, spider web, moss and lichens, which is suspended from a low branch or vine. Both parents feed the young.
References
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.
Higgins, P.J. and J.M. Peter (eds) 2002. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 6: Pardalotes to Shrike-thrushes. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.