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Speckled Warbler

Did you know?

The eggs of the Speckled Warbler are a glossy red-brown, leading to unusal local names such as "Chocolate Bird" and "Blood Tit".

Calls
The call of the Speckled Warbler has been described as a soft musucal whistle that is "sweet, cheerful and pleasing". It is a good mimic, including parts of the calls of other birds. It also has a rasping, scolding call.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
11cm
Maximum Size: 
12cm
Average size: 
11cm
Average weight: 
13g
Breeding season: 
The Speckled Warbler has been seen breeding in every month except May, however there is a peak in breeding during September and November.
Clutch Size: 
2 to 4, usually 3
Incubation: 
17 days
Nestling Period: 
19 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Vulnerable
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Not present
TAS: 
Not present
VIC: 
Vulnerable
WA: 
Not present
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Chthonicola sagittata
Featured bird groups: 
Small insect-eating birds
Atlas Number: 
504
What does it look like?
Description: 

The crown of the Speckled Warbler is black with buff streaks. Between the crown and the white eyebrow is a line that is black in the males and chestnut in the females, the only difference between the two. The dark red eye is prominent in the pale face. The back is mottled dark brown but the underparts are cream with bold black streaks. When it flies, its tail shows a black band with a white tip.

Similar species: 

Other small birds with streaky underparts, such as the Shy Heathwren, hold their tails cocked in the air, unlike the Speckled Warbler. Hence the Speckled Warbler is quite distinctive.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Speckled Warbler is patchily distributed on and inland of the Great Dividing Range, from level with Mackay in Qld, to the Grampians National Park in Victoria.

Habitat: 

The Speckled Warbler lives in dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands (woodlands have fewer trees than forests) dominated by eucalypts. It is mostly seen on the grassy ground layer, when it is foraging.

Seasonal movements: 

The Speckled Warbler is sedentary.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Speckled Warbler feeds on the ground, probing the leaf litter for insects. It will also eat seeds. It feeds in pairs or small parties up to 6 in number. Occasionally it is seen in mixed feeding flocks with several types of thornbills.

Breeding: 

The Speckled Warbler breeds either in pairs or trios of one female and two males, although the second male does not help at the nest. The group defends a territory and the pair bond usually lasts several years. Sometimes several family groups form small flocks over the winter.

Living with us

Humans have cleared much of the habitat of these birds, and such clearing is on-going. The small fragments of habitat that remain can lose their populations of Speckled Warblers, leading to local extinctions. It is classified as "vulnerable" in NSW.

References: 
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 6: Pardalotes to Shrike-thrushes.
Speckled Warbler - profile - NSW DEC
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