Tasmanian Thornbill

Tasmanian Thornbill
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pardalotidae
Genus: Acanthiza
Species: A. ewingii
Binomial name
Acanthiza ewingii
Gould, 1844[2]

The Tasmanian Thornbill (Acanthiza ewingii) is a small brown bird only found in Tasmania and the islands in the Bass Strait. It is a common bird in these regions, often found in rainforests, wet forests, and scrublands[3]. It occurs exclusively in cold and wet areas[4]. Its diet revolves primarily around small insects, which it scrounges up and feeds on close to the ground[3].

Averaging 10 centimeters in length, the Tasmanian Thornbill is a small bird. Primarily light brown in coloration, the bird has a white undertail and a grey-streaked breast[4]. There is no significant coloration or size differentiation between sexes[3].

The Tasmanian Thornbill has been assessed as a secure species, and its current status is listed as "Least Concern"[1].

References

  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2008). Acanthiza ewingii. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 18 February 2009.
  2. ^ ITIS: Tasmanian Thornbill.
  3. ^ a b c "Tasmanian Thornbill." Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. 22 June 2007. Accessed: 18 July 2007. URL: [1]
  4. ^ a b "The Endemic Birds of Tasmania." Thomas, D.G. 1972. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 8 December 2006. Accessed: 18 July 2007. URL: [2]