Grasswren

Amytornis or grasswrens
Striated grasswren (Amytornis striatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Maluridae
Genus: Amytornis
Stejneger, 1885
Species

see text

Synonyms
  • Amytis

The grasswrens, are a genus, Amytornis of Australasian birds in the Maluridae family. The genus also comprises the subfamily Amytornithinae, one of two in that family, the other (Malurinae) contains the fairy-wrens and emu-wrens. The genus contains around 10 species, many of which are poorly known due to their secretive nature and remote and inaccessible habitat.

Description

The grasswrens are the largest members of the Maluridae, ranging from 15 g (0.53 oz) for the Eyrean grasswren to the 35 g (1.2 oz) white-throated grasswren. They generally have long tails and legs and short wings and are adapted for life foraging on the ground. The bill is typically shorter and narrower than the fairy-wrens and emu-wrens, which reflects the bigger part that seeds play in their diet. The plumage of the grasswrens is cryptic, usually red, buff and brown patterned with white and black.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The grasswrens are endemic to Australia. Grasswren inhabit remote and arid or semi-arid regions of the continent, in the interior and north. Species typically occupy small ranges as well. Most species of grasswrens inhabit habitat dominated by spinifex. They are often found in hilly areas dominated by rocks, which provides them with prey as well as shelter, particularly thermal shelter from extremes of heat or cold.[1]

List of species

The genus contains the following species:

References

  1. 1 2 Rowley, I.; Russell, E. (2017). del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Sargatal, Jordi; Christie, David A.; de Juana, Eduardo, eds. "Fairy-wrens (Maluridae)". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 26 July 2017. (Subscription required (help)).


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