About the Pilotbird
The pilotbird is a species of passerine bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is monotypic within the genus Pycnoptilus. The species is endemic to south-eastern Australia.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The pilotbird is a large, plump species of acanthizid, measuring around 18 centimetres (7.1 in) in length and weighing 27 grams (0.95 oz). The plumage of the underparts is reddish-brown with scalloping on the chest and the centre of the belly speckled dull white. The upperparts are chocolate-brown. The bill is short and finely pointed. Its tail is broad and semi-erect, and flicked up and down when feeding.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Tasmanian ThornbillAcanthiza ewingiiThe Tasmanian Thornbill is olive-brown above, darkening toward the back and tail, and can exhibit a patch of reddish-brown colouration on the forehead.
Green-backed GerygoneGerygone chloronotaThe green-backed gerygone is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae found in northern Australia and New Guinea.
RockwarblerOrigma solitariaThe rockwarbler is 14 cm (5.5 in) in length and weighs around 14 g (0.5 oz), with predominantly dark grey-brown plumage, darker wings and more red-brown underparts, cinnamon-tinged face and forehead, and whitish throat.
Learn the Pilotbird for real
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