Bird Guide

Inland Thornbill vs Tasmanian Thornbill

Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis)

Inland Thornbill

Acanthiza apicalis

Tiny8 gWoodland

The inland thornbill is very similar to the brown thornbill (A. pusilla) in appearance, and these two species are sometimes considered conspecific. The brown thornbill is slightly smaller than the inland thornbill at approximately 10 cm (3.9 in) compared to 11.5 cm (4.5 in). The inland thornbill has white speckling on the forehead, while the brown thornbill has rufous speckling and is less grey than the inland thornbill. Range and habitat is the easiest way to differentiate these two species.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Andrew Allen · CC BY 4.0
Tasmanian Thornbill (Acanthiza ewingii)

Tasmanian Thornbill

Acanthiza ewingii

Tiny7 gForest

The Tasmanian Thornbill is olive-brown above, darkening toward the back and tail, and can exhibit a patch of reddish-brown colouration on the forehead. The wings are dark grey with olive-brown edge lining. Grey on light grey scalloping is present from the chin to breast, with similar scalloping occurring on the sides of the head. The bill, feet, and legs are all dark grey and the eyes are distinctly large and dark, with red irises. It's long, thin, thorn-shaped beak is a distinguishing characteristic of the Acanthiza (thornbill) family. Voice: The Tasmanian Thornbill has the warbling style of call that is characteristically attributed to the Acanthizidae (Australian warbler) family, and its main call has been described phonetically as a zit zit zit sound.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Pierre Cartier · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Inland Thornbill and Tasmanian Thornbill.