Shy Heathwren

Calamanthus cauta

Diamond Dove Dam, Greater Bendigo NP, C Vic IMG_5122 20200119 - cauta. CLICK to hear call.

Notes: Similar to Chestnut-rumped Heathwren but more boldly patterned, with long clean white
brow; white tail tips, large clean white spot on outer primaries. Striking rufous uppertail coverts.
Female duller, more finely streaked. Ssp whitlocki very similar to nominate cauta; macrorhynchus
darker upperparts, breast darker & very heavily streaked dark brown, undertail-coverts darker
rufous-brown; halmaturinus distinctive, w. dark back, reduced white in wing, & short tail.

Range from Morcombe & Stewart©: In shrubby or heath understory in mallee woodland,
mallee heath, coastal thickets, grass tussocks.