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{{Short description|Species of bird}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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{{use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} |
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{{use Australian English|date=July 2022}} |
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{{Speciesbox |
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| name = Thick-billed grasswren |
| name = Thick-billed grasswren |
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| image = |
| image = Thick-billed Grasswren.jpg |
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| image_width = 250px |
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| image_caption = |
| image_caption = |
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| status = LC |
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| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN2008|assessor=BirdLife International|year=2009|id=106005208|title=Amytornis textilis|downloaded=21 February 2012}}</ref> |
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| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| regnum = [[Animalia]] |
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| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 13 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Amytornis modestus'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T103684164A104084610 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103684164A104084610.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref> |
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| phylum = [[Chordata]] |
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| |
| genus = Amytornis |
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| species = modestus |
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| ordo = [[Passeriformes]] |
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| authority = ([[Alfred John North|North]], 1902) |
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| familia = [[Maluridae]] |
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| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies |
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| genus = ''[[Amytornis]]'' |
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| subdivision = See text |
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| species = ''A. modestus'' |
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| synonyms = {{Specieslist |
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| binomial = ''Amytornis modestus'' |
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|Amytis modesta| |
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| binomial_authority = ([[Alfred John North|North]], 1902) |
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|Amytornis textilis modestus| |
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| subdivision_ranks = [[Subspecies]] |
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}} |
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| subdivision = see text |
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}} |
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| synonyms = *''Amytornis textilis modestus''}} |
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The '''thick-billed grasswren''' (''Amytornis modestus'') is a species of [[bird]] in the [[Maluridae]] |
The '''thick-billed grasswren''' ('''''Amytornis modestus''''') is a species of [[bird]] in the family [[Maluridae]]. It is [[Endemism|endemic]] to Australia. Its natural [[habitat]] is [[Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub|Mediterranean-type]] shrubby vegetation. |
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==Taxonomy and systematics== |
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The thick-billed grass wren (Amytornis) are endemic species of Australia. Amytornis modestus is a sub-species of grass wren found throughout the arid regions of north-western New South Wales (NSW), northern parts of South Australia, through to southern sections of the Northern Territory. With Western thick billed grass wren (A. textilis) found in arid areas across Western Australia and parts of South Australia. A. modestus is speculated to still occur in fragmented populations in the Grey Range, Sturt National Park. The thick-billed grass wren eats mainly insects and other small invertebrates, as well as plant seeds. Both the NSW government office of environment and heritage and the Commonwealth of Australia classify the thick billed grass wren as critically endangered. However the South Australian government and the IUCN red list classifies the thick billed grass wren as ‘least concern’. It was gazetted under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, in 2009. |
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The thick-billed grasswren was formerly considered as [[conspecific]] with the [[western grasswren]] until split as a separate species in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | title=Species Version 2 – IOC World Bird List | website=IOC World Bird List – Version 12.1 | date=18 October 2011 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/updates/archives/species-2-0-2-11/ | access-date=12 July 2022}}</ref> |
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=== Subspecies === |
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==Taxonomy and evolution== |
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Seven [[subspecies]] have been identified in recent studies (Black 2011, 2016; Austin et al. 2013):<ref>{{cite report| url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Scientific-Committee/Determinations/2020/amytornis-modestus-inexpectatus-thick-billed-grasswren-cam-extinct.pdf?la=en&hash=CD27B156EB25CED334725347D76E8A965FC521ED| title= Conservation Assessment of Thick billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912) (Maluridae)| first1=B.| last1= Hope| first2= A. |last2= Kerle| date= April 2020| publisher= NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee, NSW Govt| access-date=12 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://absa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Thick-billed-Grasswren-1.pdf| title= Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus Species No.: 8022 Band size: 04 (03) AY | publisher= Australian Bird Study Association Inc. – Bird in the Hand (Second Edition), published |date=October 2019|quote=Compiled by J.W. Hardy for the Australian Bird Study Association Inc. and reproduced with permission of BirdLife Australia}}</ref><ref>Black, Andrew. (2011). [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263493382_Subspecies_of_the_Thick-Billed_Grasswren_Amytornis_Modestus_Aves-Maluridae Subspecies of the Thick-Billed Grasswren Amytornis Modestus (Aves-Maluridae)]. ''Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia''. 135.</ref> |
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=Subspecies= |
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* †''A. m. modestus'' – <small>([[Alfred John North|North]], 1902)</small>: Now extinct. Formerly found in Northern Territory |
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Most current sources refer to two subspecies. An eastern (A. modestus) and western (A. textilis) form. They are considered two species because of their differences in colouration, habitat, and distribution. Their genetic sequences are also dissimilar to classify them as separate subspecies of Thick-billed Grasswren. |
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* ''A. m. indulkanna'' – <small>([[Gregory Mathews|Mathews]], 1916)</small>: Found in [[Northern Territory]] and [[South Australia]] |
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* ''A. m. raglessi'' – <small>Black, 2011</small>: Found in [[Flinders Ranges]] in South Australia |
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* ''A. m. curnamona'' – <small>Black, 2011</small>: Found in Lake Frome Basin in South Australia |
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* ''A. m. cowarie'' – <small>Black, 2016</small>: Found in [[Sturt Stony Desert]] in South Australia |
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* ''A. m. obscurior'' – <small>(Mathews, 1923)</small>: Found in [[New South Wales]] |
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* †''A. m. inexpectatus'' – <small>(Mathews, 1912)</small>: Now [[extinct species|extinct]]; formerly found in [[New South Wales]] |
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==Description |
==Description== |
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[[File:Amytornis textilis.jpg|thumb|Illustration from 1910]] |
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Dull brown underparts, noticeable white streaking on head. With white streaks continuing down the neck, throat and down to the rump. Underparts are pale fawn colour, with long, dark-brown tail. Males have distinguishably longer tales. Females also have chestnut flanks. Both sub-species are very similar in appearance. A. modestus has a paler underbelly then A. textilis. The white streaks on A. textilis are also more prominent, as well as a more upright tail and darker colourings on its throat and chest. Vocals are a combination of short high-pitched song, repeated. |
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The thick-billed grasswren has dull brown underparts, a long dark-brown tail and noticeable white streaking on the head. It has white streaks continuing down the neck, throat and down to the rump. The white streaks across the chin to the forehead and along the wings and rump, contrast with the red-brown to grey colours of the feathers. Males have distinguishably longer tails. Females also have chestnut flanks. Vocals are a combination of short high-pitched song, repeated. They have a soft, high-pitched call that is often inaudible to human ears. |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
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==Breeding== |
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The thick-billed grasswren is endemic to Australia and is found throughout the arid regions of northwestern New South Wales, northern parts of South Australia, through to southern sections of the Northern Territory.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amytornis modestus — Thick-billed Grasswren (eastern)|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=84121|work=Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities|publisher=Australian Government|access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref><ref name = "Black"/> It is also speculated to still occur in fragmented populations in the Grey Range of [[Sturt National Park]]. |
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Breeding occurs between July and September. Nests can usually be seen low branches in saltbush, can-grass and other similar vegetation. The nest composes of loose grass and bark in the shape of a half dome, with finer grass, fur, feathers lining the nest. One to three (usually two) eggs of various colourings of white, cream and pink; with blotches of red-brown or purplish grey. With an incubation period of two weeks. Nestling period is usually 10-12 days. Four years is the estimated generation length of the Thick-billed Grass-wren. |
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[[Chenopod]] scrublands (consisting largely of [[saltbush]]), sandhill cane-grass and flood debris in dry, sandy watercourses. They favour the scrublands with dense chenopod bushes. These denser [[shrubland]]s usually occur in lower-lying areas, such as watercourses and drainage lines. |
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==Behaviour== |
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Usually sedentary, these illusive birds are seen running, hopping or rarely flying, between vegetative cover to remain undetected. They can also be seen foraging for food at ground level around vegetation for a wide variety of seeds, berries and macroinvertebrates. Wrens have a generalist beak type that allows them to eat a range of foods. The thick bill of A. modestus and A. textilis would allow for tougher seeds and other food niches to be accessed, compared with the smaller fairy wren species. They have a soft, high-pitched call that is often inaudible to human ears. If disturbed, individuals take refuge in any existing cover – usually vegetative or piles of old flood debris along dry sandy watercourses and even down rabbit burrows. Often seen solitarily or in pairs. Sources vary, but mating pairs maintain between five, and 20 to 40 hectare territories year-round and rarely, possibly never, band with their neighbours outside the breeding season. Family groups are sometimes seen during the post-fledgling period, while the young are still dependent on their parents. |
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==Behaviour and ecology== |
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==Habitat== |
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Thick-billed grasswrens are usually sedentary, with these elusive birds seen running, hopping or rarely flying, between vegetative cover to remain undetected. They can also be seen foraging for food at ground level around vegetation. Wrens have a generalist beak type that allows them to eat a range of foods. The thick bill allows for tougher seeds and other food niches to be accessed, compared with the smaller fairy wren species. If disturbed, individuals take refuge in any existing cover – usually vegetation or piles of old flood debris along dry sandy watercourses and even down rabbit burrows. They are often seen solitarily or in pairs. Sources vary, but mating pairs maintain between five, and 20 to 40 hectare territories year-round and rarely, possibly never, band with their neighbours outside the breeding season. Family groups are sometimes seen during the post-fledgling period, while the young are still dependent on their parents.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/thick-billed-grasswren-eastern-subspecies-amytornis-textilis-modestus-north-1902-recovery|title=Thick-billed Grasswren (Eastern Subspecies) (Amytornis textilis modestus) (North, 1902) Recovery Plan|last=Energy|first=Department of the Environment and|date=2013-07-04|website=www.environment.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2017-07-25}}</ref> The feather patterns/markings imitate their preferred habitat as a form of camouflage. |
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Chenopod scrublands (consisting largely of saltbush), sandhill cane-grass and flood debris in dry, sandy watercourses. They favour the scrublands with dense chenopod bushes. These denser shrublands usually occur in lower lying areas, such as watercourses and drainage lines. Both subspecies, occurring at different distributions prefer particular species. The Eastern Thick-billed Grasswren prefers saltbush. The Western Thick-billed Grasswren; black-bush and Australian boxthorn. |
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===Breeding=== |
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==Other adaptations== |
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Breeding occurs between July and September. Nests can usually be seen in low branches in saltbush, can-grass and other similar vegetation. The nest composes of loose grass and bark in the shape of a half dome, with finer grass, fur, feathers lining the nest. One to three (usually two) eggs of various colourings of white, cream and pink; with blotches of red-brown or purplish grey. They have an incubation period of two weeks and fledge in 10–12 days. The estimated generation length of the thick-billed grasswren is four years . |
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The feather patterns/markings imitate their preferred habitat. This is a form of camouflage. The white streaks across the chin to the forehead and along the wings and rump, contrast with the red-brown to grey colours of the feathers. |
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===Feeding=== |
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==Threats and human interactions== |
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The thick-billed grasswren eats mainly insects and other small [[invertebrate]]s, as well as plant seeds and berries. |
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Because the density of humans in the areas were thick-billed grass wren occur is so low, direct human interactions are rare. Humans indirectly cause the threats. The main threat to thick-billed grass wrens is loss of habitat, through clearing, and overgrazing by hard hooved animals, such as sheep and goat, that trample the vegetation. This reduces the area and quality of the habitat that the thick-billed grass wren prefer. Particularly the larger shrubs that provide prime habitat for breeding. Habitat modification has also occurred due to rabbits. Feral species, such as foxes and cats are major threats due to predation. All threats have been compounded by droughts over the past decade. |
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==Conservation status== |
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High frequency wildfires are also a threat to the quality of habitat. Higher frequency of fires disrupts the life cycle processes of the thick-billed grass wren, as well as the plants and macroinvertebrates that they depend on. Climate change is another threat not considered in the NSW recovery plan for A. modestus. Changes in expected environmental conditions, will also challenge tolerance ranges and exacerbate the impacts of existing threats to the species. |
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The main threat to thick-billed grasswrens is [[loss of habitat]] through clearing and [[overgrazing]] by hard-hooved animals, such as sheep and goats that trample the vegetation. This reduces the area and quality of the habitat that the thick-billed grasswren prefer, particularly the larger shrubs that provide prime habitat for breeding. Habitat modification has also occurred due to rabbits. [[Feral]] species, such as [[red foxes in Australia|foxes]] and [[feral cats in Australia|cats]] are major threats due to predation. |
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High-frequency [[bushire]]s are also a threat to the quality of habitat. Higher frequency of fires disrupts the life-cycle processes of the thick-billed grasswren, as well as the plants and [[macroinvertebrate]]s that they depend on. All threats have been compounded by droughts over the past decade. Changes in expected environmental conditions will also challenge tolerance ranges and exacerbate the impacts of existing threats to the species. |
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=Activities to assist this species (NSW Government)= |
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Control vertebrate pest populations (e.g. foxes, cats and rabbits), that either prey on, or compete against this species for resources. Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, such as food sources or nest sites. Restrict cultivation around suitable ground habitat. Retain understorey shrubs and allow them to complete their life cycle (i.e., seed set, germination, establishment, growth to maturity). Prevent clearing of habitat, such as nesting sites and food sources. |
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The |
The thick-billed grasswren is a poor flyer, and because of this has a poor dispersal capability and is highly susceptible to [[population fragmentation]]. |
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The thick-billed grasswren was listed as a [[vulnerable species]] under the Commonwealth ''[[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]]'' (EPBC Act) on 26 July 2000, and as [[critically endangered]] under the ''[[Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW)]]'' (February 2022 list) in New South Wales. However the [[IUCN Red List]] (2021.3 list) accords it a status of "least concern", {{as of|lc=yes|July 2022}}.<ref name=sprat>{{cite web | title=Amytornis modestus — Thick-billed Grasswren| website=[[Species Profile and Threats Database]]|publisher= [[Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water]], [[Australian Government]]| date=7 July 2022 | url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=84121| access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> |
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The subspecies ''Amytornis modestus obscurior'' (north-west NSW) is listed as critically endangered by both the New South Wales and [[Commonwealth Government]]s.<ref>{{cite web | title=Thick-billed Grasswren (north-west NSW subspecies) - profile | website=[[NSW Government]]. [[Office of Environment & Heritage]] | date=29 Nov 2021 | url=https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10049 | access-date=12 July 2022}}</ref> |
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== Subspecies == |
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While not completely accepted by all authourities, the following seven [[subspecies]] are recognized by Clements and the IOC:<ref>IOC v.6.3</ref> |
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A 2018 study ranked the species eighth in a list of Australian birds most likely to go extinct.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Geyle | first=Hayley M. | last2=Woinarski | first2=John C. Z. | last3=Baker | first3=G. Barry | last4=Dickman | first4=Chris R. | last5=Dutson | first5=Guy | last6=Fisher | first6=Diana O. | last7=Ford | first7=Hugh | last8=Holdsworth | first8=Mark | last9=Jones | first9=Menna E. | last10=Kutt | first10=Alex | last11=Legge | first11=Sarah | last12=Leiper | first12=Ian | last13=Loyn | first13=Richard | last14=Murphy | first14=Brett P. | last15=Menkhorst | first15=Peter | last16=Reside | first16=April E. | last17=Ritchie | first17=Euan G. | last18=Roberts | first18=Finley E. | last19=Tingley | first19=Reid | last20=Garnett | first20=Stephen T.|display-authors=2 | title=Quantifying extinction risk and forecasting the number of impending Australian bird and mammal extinctions | journal=[[Pacific Conservation Biology]] | volume=24 | issue=2 | date=20 April 2018 | issn=2204-4604 | doi=10.1071/PC18006 | pages=157–167 | url=https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/PC18006 | access-date=11 July 2022| doi-access=free | hdl=10536/DRO/DU:30109156 | hdl-access=free }} [https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/pdf/PC18006 PDF]</ref> |
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* †''A. m. modestus'' – <small>([[Alfred John North|North]], 1902)</small>: Now extinct. Formerly found in Northern Territory (central Australia) |
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* ''A. m. indulkanna'' – <small>([[Gregory Mathews|Mathews]], 1916)</small>: Found in Northern Territory and South Australia (central Australia) |
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* ''A. m. raglessi'' – <small>Black, 2011</small>: Found in Flinders Ranges in South Australia (central Australia) |
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* ''A. m. curnamona'' – <small>Black, 2011</small>: Found in Lake Frome Basin in South Australia (central Australia) |
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* ''A. m. cowarie'' – <small>Black, 2016</small>: Found in Sturt Stony Desert in South Australia (central Australia) |
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* ''A. m. obscurior'' – <small>(Mathews, 1923)</small>: Found in New South Wales (central Australia) |
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* †''A. m. inexpectatus'' – <small>(Mathews, 1912)</small>: Now extinct. Formerly found in New South Wales (central Australia) |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist | refs = |
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<ref name = "Black">{{cite journal|journal=South Australian Ornithologist|title=Distribution and habitats of the Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus and comparison with the Western Grasswren ''Amytornis textilis myall'' in South Australia| |
<ref name = "Black">{{cite journal|journal=South Australian Ornithologist|title=Distribution and habitats of the Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus and comparison with the Western Grasswren ''Amytornis textilis myall'' in South Australia|first1=Andrew|last1=Black|first2=Graham|last2=Carpenter|first3=Lynn |last3=Pedler |date=September 2011|volume=37|issue=2|url=http://www.birdssa.asn.au/images/saopdfs/Volume37/2011V37P060.pdf|pages=60–80|access-date=9 October 2015}}</ref> |
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}} |
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{{Malurus}} |
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{{taxonbar}} |
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Barrett, G.W., Silcocks, A.F., Cunningham, R., Oliver, D.L., Weston, M.A. & Baker, J. (2007). Comparison of atlas data to determine the conservation status of bird species in New South Wales, with an emphasis on woodland-dependent species. Australian Zoologist 34, |
Barrett, G.W., Silcocks, A.F., Cunningham, R., Oliver, D.L., Weston, M.A. & Baker, J. (2007). Comparison of atlas data to determine the conservation status of bird species in New South Wales, with an emphasis on woodland-dependent species. ''Australian Zoologist'', 34, 37–77. |
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Cayley, N. W., Chisholm, A. H., Hindwood, K., McGill, A. R., Roberts, P., & Lindsey, T. (1991). What bird is that? Angus & Robertson: Australia. |
Cayley, N. W., Chisholm, A. H., Hindwood, K., McGill, A. R., Roberts, P., & Lindsey, T. (1991). ''What bird is that?'' Angus & Robertson: Australia. |
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Garnett, S. & Crowley, G. (Eds) (2000). ‘The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000’. (Environment Australia: Canberra). |
Garnett, S. & Crowley, G. (Eds) (2000). ‘The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000’. (Environment Australia: Canberra). |
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Government of South Australia, South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resource Management Board (2011). Fact sheet: thick-billed grasswrens. Retrieved from www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au |
[[Government of South Australia]], South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resource Management Board (2011). Fact sheet: thick-billed grasswrens. Retrieved from www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au |
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Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. & Steele WK (Eds) (2001). |
Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. & Steele WK (Eds) (2001). ''Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds'', vol. 5. (Oxford University Press: Melbourne). |
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McAllan, IAW (1987). Early records of the Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis textilis and Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus. Australian Birds 21, |
McAllan, IAW (1987). Early records of the Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis textilis and Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus. Australian Birds 21, 33–34. |
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McAllan, IAW (2000). On some New South Wales records of the Grey Grasswren and the Thickbilled Grasswren. ''Australian Bird Watcher'', 18, 244–246. |
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McAllan, IAW (2000). On some New South Wales records of the Grey Grasswren and the Thickbilled Grasswren. Australian Bird Watcher 18, 244-246. |
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NPWS (2002). Thick-billed Grasswren (eastern subspecies) Amytornis textilis modestus (North, 1902) Recovery Plan. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville NSW. |
NPWS (2002). Thick-billed Grasswren (eastern subspecies) Amytornis textilis modestus (North, 1902) Recovery Plan. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville NSW. |
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Pizzey, G., & Knight, F. (2012). ''The field guide to the birds of Australia''. HarperCollins Publishers: Australia. |
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Office of Environment and Heritage (2016). Thick-billed Grasswren (eastern subspecies) – profile. Retrieved from http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10049 |
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{{Malurus}} |
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Pizzey, G., & Knight, F. (2012). The field guide to the birds of Australia. Harper Collins Publishers: Australia. |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q12253402}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:grasswren, thick-billed}} |
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[[Category:Amytornis|thick-billed grasswren]] |
[[Category:Amytornis|thick-billed grasswren]] |
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[[Category:Birds of the Northern Territory]] |
[[Category:Birds of the Northern Territory]] |
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[[Category:Endemic birds of Australia]] |
[[Category:Endemic birds of Australia]] |
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[[Category:Birds described in 1902|thick-billed grasswren]] |
[[Category:Birds described in 1902|thick-billed grasswren]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Alfred John North|thick-billed grasswren]] |
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[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]] |
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{{Maluridae-stub}} |
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Latest revision as of 16:49, 23 February 2024
| Thick-billed grasswren | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Maluridae |
| Genus: | Amytornis |
| Species: | A. modestus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Amytornis modestus (North, 1902)
| |
| Subspecies | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The thick-billed grasswren (Amytornis modestus) is a species of bird in the family Maluridae. It is endemic to Australia. Its natural habitat is Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation.
Taxonomy and systematics
[edit]The thick-billed grasswren was formerly considered as conspecific with the western grasswren until split as a separate species in 2010.[2]
Subspecies
[edit]Seven subspecies have been identified in recent studies (Black 2011, 2016; Austin et al. 2013):[3][4][5]
- †A. m. modestus – (North, 1902): Now extinct. Formerly found in Northern Territory
- A. m. indulkanna – (Mathews, 1916): Found in Northern Territory and South Australia
- A. m. raglessi – Black, 2011: Found in Flinders Ranges in South Australia
- A. m. curnamona – Black, 2011: Found in Lake Frome Basin in South Australia
- A. m. cowarie – Black, 2016: Found in Sturt Stony Desert in South Australia
- A. m. obscurior – (Mathews, 1923): Found in New South Wales
- †A. m. inexpectatus – (Mathews, 1912): Now extinct; formerly found in New South Wales
Description
[edit]
The thick-billed grasswren has dull brown underparts, a long dark-brown tail and noticeable white streaking on the head. It has white streaks continuing down the neck, throat and down to the rump. The white streaks across the chin to the forehead and along the wings and rump, contrast with the red-brown to grey colours of the feathers. Males have distinguishably longer tails. Females also have chestnut flanks. Vocals are a combination of short high-pitched song, repeated. They have a soft, high-pitched call that is often inaudible to human ears.
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The thick-billed grasswren is endemic to Australia and is found throughout the arid regions of northwestern New South Wales, northern parts of South Australia, through to southern sections of the Northern Territory.[6][7] It is also speculated to still occur in fragmented populations in the Grey Range of Sturt National Park.
Chenopod scrublands (consisting largely of saltbush), sandhill cane-grass and flood debris in dry, sandy watercourses. They favour the scrublands with dense chenopod bushes. These denser shrublands usually occur in lower-lying areas, such as watercourses and drainage lines.
Behaviour and ecology
[edit]Thick-billed grasswrens are usually sedentary, with these elusive birds seen running, hopping or rarely flying, between vegetative cover to remain undetected. They can also be seen foraging for food at ground level around vegetation. Wrens have a generalist beak type that allows them to eat a range of foods. The thick bill allows for tougher seeds and other food niches to be accessed, compared with the smaller fairy wren species. If disturbed, individuals take refuge in any existing cover – usually vegetation or piles of old flood debris along dry sandy watercourses and even down rabbit burrows. They are often seen solitarily or in pairs. Sources vary, but mating pairs maintain between five, and 20 to 40 hectare territories year-round and rarely, possibly never, band with their neighbours outside the breeding season. Family groups are sometimes seen during the post-fledgling period, while the young are still dependent on their parents.[8] The feather patterns/markings imitate their preferred habitat as a form of camouflage.
Breeding
[edit]Breeding occurs between July and September. Nests can usually be seen in low branches in saltbush, can-grass and other similar vegetation. The nest composes of loose grass and bark in the shape of a half dome, with finer grass, fur, feathers lining the nest. One to three (usually two) eggs of various colourings of white, cream and pink; with blotches of red-brown or purplish grey. They have an incubation period of two weeks and fledge in 10–12 days. The estimated generation length of the thick-billed grasswren is four years .
Feeding
[edit]The thick-billed grasswren eats mainly insects and other small invertebrates, as well as plant seeds and berries.
Conservation status
[edit]The main threat to thick-billed grasswrens is loss of habitat through clearing and overgrazing by hard-hooved animals, such as sheep and goats that trample the vegetation. This reduces the area and quality of the habitat that the thick-billed grasswren prefer, particularly the larger shrubs that provide prime habitat for breeding. Habitat modification has also occurred due to rabbits. Feral species, such as foxes and cats are major threats due to predation.
High-frequency bushires are also a threat to the quality of habitat. Higher frequency of fires disrupts the life-cycle processes of the thick-billed grasswren, as well as the plants and macroinvertebrates that they depend on. All threats have been compounded by droughts over the past decade. Changes in expected environmental conditions will also challenge tolerance ranges and exacerbate the impacts of existing threats to the species.
The thick-billed grasswren is a poor flyer, and because of this has a poor dispersal capability and is highly susceptible to population fragmentation.
The thick-billed grasswren was listed as a vulnerable species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on 26 July 2000, and as critically endangered under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW) (February 2022 list) in New South Wales. However the IUCN Red List (2021.3 list) accords it a status of "least concern", as of July 2022[update].[9]
The subspecies Amytornis modestus obscurior (north-west NSW) is listed as critically endangered by both the New South Wales and Commonwealth Governments.[10]
A 2018 study ranked the species eighth in a list of Australian birds most likely to go extinct.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Amytornis modestus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103684164A104084610. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103684164A104084610.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Species Version 2 – IOC World Bird List". IOC World Bird List – Version 12.1. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ Hope, B.; Kerle, A. (April 2020). Conservation Assessment of Thick billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus inexpectatus (Matthews, 1912) (Maluridae) (PDF) (Report). NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee, NSW Govt. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus Species No.: 8022 Band size: 04 (03) AY" (PDF). Australian Bird Study Association Inc. – Bird in the Hand (Second Edition), published. October 2019.
Compiled by J.W. Hardy for the Australian Bird Study Association Inc. and reproduced with permission of BirdLife Australia
- ^ Black, Andrew. (2011). Subspecies of the Thick-Billed Grasswren Amytornis Modestus (Aves-Maluridae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. 135.
- ^ "Amytornis modestus — Thick-billed Grasswren (eastern)". Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Australian Government. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
- ^ Black, Andrew; Carpenter, Graham; Pedler, Lynn (September 2011). "Distribution and habitats of the Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis modestus and comparison with the Western Grasswren Amytornis textilis myall in South Australia" (PDF). South Australian Ornithologist. 37 (2): 60–80. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ Energy, Department of the Environment and (4 July 2013). "Thick-billed Grasswren (Eastern Subspecies) (Amytornis textilis modestus) (North, 1902) Recovery Plan". www.environment.gov.au. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ "Amytornis modestus — Thick-billed Grasswren". Species Profile and Threats Database. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Government. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ "Thick-billed Grasswren (north-west NSW subspecies) - profile". NSW Government. Office of Environment & Heritage. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ Geyle, Hayley M.; Woinarski, John C. Z.; et al. (20 April 2018). "Quantifying extinction risk and forecasting the number of impending Australian bird and mammal extinctions". Pacific Conservation Biology. 24 (2): 157–167. doi:10.1071/PC18006. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30109156. ISSN 2204-4604. Retrieved 11 July 2022. PDF
Barrett, G.W., Silcocks, A.F., Cunningham, R., Oliver, D.L., Weston, M.A. & Baker, J. (2007). Comparison of atlas data to determine the conservation status of bird species in New South Wales, with an emphasis on woodland-dependent species. Australian Zoologist, 34, 37–77.
Cayley, N. W., Chisholm, A. H., Hindwood, K., McGill, A. R., Roberts, P., & Lindsey, T. (1991). What bird is that? Angus & Robertson: Australia.
Garnett, S. & Crowley, G. (Eds) (2000). ‘The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000’. (Environment Australia: Canberra).
Government of South Australia, South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resource Management Board (2011). Fact sheet: thick-billed grasswrens. Retrieved from www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au
Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. & Steele WK (Eds) (2001). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, vol. 5. (Oxford University Press: Melbourne).
McAllan, IAW (1987). Early records of the Thick-billed Grasswren Amytornis textilis and Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus. Australian Birds 21, 33–34.
McAllan, IAW (2000). On some New South Wales records of the Grey Grasswren and the Thickbilled Grasswren. Australian Bird Watcher, 18, 244–246.
NPWS (2002). Thick-billed Grasswren (eastern subspecies) Amytornis textilis modestus (North, 1902) Recovery Plan. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville NSW.
Pizzey, G., & Knight, F. (2012). The field guide to the birds of Australia. HarperCollins Publishers: Australia.