Megalurus timoriensis Wallace, 1864

Taxonomic Introduction

The tawny grassbird (Megalurus timoriensis Wallace, 1864) is a medium-sized grassbird.

Morphometric Measurements

It has a wingspan of 56-69mm, a stout 14-17mm bill, and weighs between 13-25g.

Plumage Characteristics

This species has an unstreaked rufous, or rich brown, cap, obvious rufous fringes on flight feathers when the wing is folded, and completely unstreaked underparts. It also has a long drooping tail and a rufous rump.

Vocalization Behavior

Males produce a varied song during both display flights and when perched on exposed perches, and sing most often in spring and summer.

Species Distinction

The tawny grassbird can be told apart from the closely related little grassbird by its larger size, stouter bill, more rufous plumage, and longer tail.

Australian Habitat Range

Within Australia, the tawny grassbird occurs mainly on coastal lowlands, in rank grasslands, among sedges, reeds, and rushes, and in areas bordering wetlands.

New Population Discovery

In 2011, a population of tawny grassbirds was discovered in Alice Springs, almost 100 km away from the species' other known populations.

Inland Species Note

Generally, grassbirds found in inland eastern Australia belong to the little grassbird species.

Breeding Traits

Tawny grassbirds build well-hidden cup-shaped grass nests in long grass, and typically lay 3 freckled reddish eggs.