Striated Thornbill
Acanthiza lineata
About This Species
This tiny, streaky-brown Australian bird moves in restless, chattering flocks through eucalypt forest and woodland, gleaning insects from foliage and outer branches rather than the ground. It is far easier to hear than see, its high-pitched, tinkling calls usually betraying a foraging party well before individual birds come into clear view. Mixed-species feeding flocks in open forest during the cooler months often give the best sustained viewing.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because these are small, mobile canopy feeders, simply standing still and letting a flock move past at a distance of a few metres is far more effective and less disruptive than trying to approach closely.
- General wildlife protection laws in Australian states cover native birds, so deliberate harassment, nest disturbance or capture is prohibited.
- Avoid disturbing foliage or branches to get a clearer view, as this can scatter a feeding flock and interrupt its foraging.
LCAvesPasseriformesAcanthizidae
Seasonal Activity
213,138 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acanthizidae
Photo
(c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Allen
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.