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Southern Whiteface

Aphelocephala leucopsis

Vulnerable · IUCN Red List

VUVulnerableEndemicSeedsWoodlandCavity nestTiny · 12 g
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 1
Photo: finch_fanatic · CC0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 2
Photo: finch_fanatic · CC0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 3
Photo: Lawrence Hylton · CC BY 4.0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 4
Photo: Malcolm Snelgrove · CC BY 4.0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 5
Photo: Malcolm Snelgrove · CC BY 4.0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 6
Photo: Martin Rady · CC BY 4.0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 7
Photo: Martin Rady · CC BY 4.0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 8
Photo: Ron Knight · CC BY 2.0
Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), photo 9
Photo: finch_fanatic · CC0

ID tip

The southern whiteface is a stocky thornbill-like bird with a brown dorsum, white belly, dark brown wings and a black tail with narrow white tip. A grey wash on the belly is sometimes present, along with a grey or rufous tinge to the flanks. This species displays the characteristic facial markings of the genus; a white band across the forehead, with a darker streak along the top edge. Adult birds are approximately 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length with a cream coloured eye, grey legs and a stubby dark grey bill of finch-like appearance.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Southern Whiteface

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 11 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Southern Whiteface

Regular range

The map shades 1 country with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Australia

About the Southern Whiteface

The southern whiteface is a small passerine found in arid regions across most of the southern half of the Australian continent, excluding Tasmania. Superficially finch-like in appearance, this insectivorous bird is relatively common throughout most of its range, however, overall populations appear to be in decline.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Banded Whiteface (Aphelocephala nigricincta) Banded WhitefaceAphelocephala nigricinctaThe adult banded whiteface is around 10 cm (4 in) long. Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis) Chestnut-breasted WhitefaceAphelocephala pectoralisThe chestnut-breasted whiteface is around 9–12 cm in length, with an unknown wingspan.

Side by side: Southern Whiteface vs Yellow-throated Scrubwren

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