Inland Thornbill vs Yellow Thornbill

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

Yellow Thornbill

Acanthiza nana

Tiny6 gShrubland

Although similar to the striated thornbill and brown thornbill in both size and shape, the yellow colour of the yellow thornbill is more prominent. There is no sexual dimorphism, so that males and females look alike. They are around 9 cm (3.5 in) in length, with an average wing span of 14 cm (5.5 in), and weighing between 6–7 g (0.21–0.25 oz). Voice: The yellow thornbill has a loud, two-note tzid-id call, notably different from calls of the closely related striated thornbill by its harsher, less insect-like sound. The call is repeated at various intervals throughout the day and is associated with contact between birds while foraging, as defence, or as a territorial advertisement.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ian Sutton · CC BY 2.0

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