Chirruping wedgebill

The chirruping wedgebill (Psophodes cristatus) is a medium-sized member of the genus Psophodes, which consists or four to five songbirds endemic to Australia.^[2] Commonly found in low shrublands in south-eastern inland Australia,^[3] the species is distinguished by its distinctive, chirruping call.^[3] The chirruping wedgebill and chiming wedgebill (Psophodes occidentalis) were considered to be a single species until as late as 1973, when they were separated due to marked differences in their calls.^[3]

Chirruping wedgebill
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Psophodidae
Genus:	Psophodes
Species:	P. cristatus
Binomial name
Psophodes cristatus (Gould, 1838)

Taxonomy

John Gould originally described P. cristatus and P. occidentalis as one species (Sphenostoma cristatum),^[4] and this remained common practice until c. 1973.^[5] The separation of the species at that date was based mainly on differences in song and range.^[3]

Description

The chirruping wedgebill is a medium-sized bird, measuring approximately 18–21 cm and weighing 31-64 g.^[3] Its bill is dark and wedge-shaped when mature, and horn-coloured when immature. It possesses a slim upright crest, and long rounded tail.^[3][6] Adult plumage consists of pale brown upperparts, with white/pale grey underparts. Flight feathers are edged with white, and the tail is coloured dark black-brown with a white tip. Immature individuals possess similar plumage, the only key differences being buff-tipped flight feathers, unlike the white tips of the mature individual.^[3][6]

This bird is often misidentified as the chiming wedgebill (Psophodes occidentalis). Key identifying features include the faint breast streaking, slightly longer tail, and repetitive chirruping call.^[3][6]

Call

The distinctive call of this species is described as an antiphonal duet. Accounts of the call differ slightly. Pizzey and Knight describe the male as calling sitzi-cheeri (similar to the budgerigar's rolling chirrup), while the female replies with an upward rolling r-e-e-e-t CHEER.^[6] The call is described by Simpson and Day, however, as "sparrow-like and repetitive". Male chirrrp, female response of ee cheer.^[7]

Distribution and habitat

The chirruping wedgebill is found throughout south-eastern inland Australia, inhabiting low, open shrublands with acacia species.^[3][6] Distribution is patchy, but where found, the species is usually locally abundant. Though the species covers a large area, it is rarely found in the southern part of its range. It tends to favour areas with vegetation of bluebush, acacia stands, emu bush and lignum species.^[3]

Ecology

The chirruping wedgebill is territorial throughout the year. Adults are generally sedentary, with small flocks of up to 20 birds being regularly recorded.^[3][8] Juvenile birds tend to be more widely dispersed, sometimes forming loose foraging flocks of up to 100 individuals, that wander over greater distances than the adults.^[8] The species is unobtrusive and reserved (though less shy than the chiming wedgebill), except when calling. While foraging, individuals make short flights (small flutters and glides) or run between cover.^[3] The species is non-migratory.^[9]

Diet

The chirruping wedgebill feeds predominantly by foraging for seeds and insects.^[3][5][8]

Breeding

The species has several breeding seasons throughout the year: from March to May, and August to November, as well as after rain. The nest consists of a loose, shallow cup of grass, twigs and bark (lined with smaller, fine material). It is generally built in the fork of a dense tree, shrub or mistletoe, generally no more than 3 metres above the ground.^[3][8] Two to three blue-green eggs with sparse dark blotches are laid at a time. The eggs are of a tapered-oval shape, measuring approximately 24 x 17 mm. Incubation length is unknown. The life span of this species is approximately 6.4 years.^[9] It is not known if the sexes possess different roles in food collection or parenting.

Conservation

The chirruping wedgebill is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.^[1]