Grey Shrike-thrush at nest in hollow tree.
Photo: M Seyfort © Australian Museum
Grey Shrike-thrush, in nest.
Photo: W Longmore © Australian Museum
Grey Shrike-thrush. Image from: John Gould (1804-81) The birds of Australia 1840-48. 7 vols. 600 plates Artists: J. Gould and E. Gould; Lithographer: E. Gould.
Photo: Research Library © Australian Museum
Grey Shrike-thrush.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Grey Shrike-thrush.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers
Grey Shrike-thrush.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Colluricincla harmonica
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Grey Shrike-thrush
Scientific name: Colluricincla harmonica
Family: Pachycephalidae
Order: Passeriformes
What does it look like?
Description
The Grey Shrike-thrush is a rather drab coloured bird, although the plumage varies throughout its extensive range. Birds are mostly grey in the east, with an olive-grey back, and pale grey-white cheeks and underparts. In the north, the plumage is predominantly brown, and western birds are grey with buff underparts. Adult males are browner on the mantle than the female and young birds have varying amounts of rufous on the cheeks and wings.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Grey Shrike-thrushes are found in all but the most arid regions of Australia and Tasmania, as well as on the larger offshore islands and in southern New Guinea.
Habitat
The Grey Shrike-thrush is found in forests and woodlands. It is a common and familiar bird, although some decrease in numbers has been noted around human habitation, particularly in the west of its range.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Grey Shrike-thrush searches for food on the ground, generally around fallen logs, and on the limbs and trunks of trees. It has a varied diet consisting of insects, spiders, small mammals, frogs and lizards, and birds' eggs and young, and some birds have been observed feeding on carrion. Fruits and seeds may also be eaten on occasion.
Breeding
Grey Shrike-thrush pairs generally remain together for life and inhabit the same areas throughout this time. Breeding territories of up to ten hectares are maintained. The nest is a cup-shaped structure of dried vegetation, and may be constructed in the same site year after year. Both birds share the nest-building and incubation duties, and both care for the young birds.
Living with us
Living with humans
Some decrease in Grey Shrike-thrush numbers has been noted around human habitation, particularly in the west of its range.
References
Boles, W.E. 1988. The Robins and Flycatchers of Australia. Angus and Robertson and The National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.