Weebill

Did you know?

Weebills are some of Australia's smallest birds, with northern Australian Weebills even smaller than those in the south.

Calls
The voice is "wee bit" or "wee willy weetee".
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
8cm
Maximum Size: 
9cm
Average size: 
8cm
Average weight: 
6g
Breeding season: 
July and May, some variations throughout range.
Clutch Size: 
Two to three.
Incubation: 
12 days
Nestling Period: 
10 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
NSW: 
NT: 
QLD: 
SA: 
VIC: 
WA: 
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Featured bird groups: 
Atlas Number: 
465
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Weebill's common name comes from the short, stubby, pale beak. The eye is pale cream, and there is a pale line above the eye. Weebills are dull grey-brown on the head and olive-brown on the back, and the underparts are buff to yellow. In the south and east of the country, the birds are light brown, while northwards and inland they become paler and more yellow. Both sexes are similar in colouration, and young birds can be separated from the adults by their greyer eye.

Similar species: 

Many other small mostly brownish coloured Australian birds are similar to the Weebill. Members of the thornbills have varying amounts of spots and streaks around the head and face, while the slightly larger gerygones mostly have red-orange eyes.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Weebill is found throughout mainland Australia.

Habitat: 

The Weebill inhabits almost any wooded area, with the exception of the wettest forests, but favours open eucalypt forests. It spends most of its time in the canopy, in pairs or small groups. The birds stay in the same area throughout the year.

Seasonal movements: 

Sedentary.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

Weebills move in active flocks, feeding mainly in the outer edges of the tops of trees. The bill is well suited to taking small scale insects from the leaves; other insect prey is also eaten.

Breeding: 

The Weebill's nest is a neatly woven dome, made from grasses and other fine vegetation. It has a narrow spout-like entrance towards the top. The interior of the nest is lined with feathers and soft vegetable matter. The female alone incubates the eggs, but both parents care for the young birds.

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