Acanthiza lineata

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Family

Pardalotidae

Genus

Acanthiza

Species

lineata

Common Names

Striated Thornbill, Striated Tit, Striped Tit, Striped-crowned Tit

Distinguishing Features

The Striated Thornbill is a small 10cm bird with olive green to brown plumage.  It has a light coloured face, throat and chest with heavy black streaks and a red-brown crown with fine white streaks. Young birds are similar, with less streaking on the underparts.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A soft, insect-like 'tzzt-tzztit, tzzit'.

Similar Species

This species is similarly sized and shaped to the Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pu silla) however, the Striated Thornbill has distictive white streaks on the crown and dark streaks on the chest.  Its call is also distict and of a higher pitch.

Distribution

It is found only in the southeastern corner of Australia's mainland, from southern QLD to southern SA.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

This species is probably the most common of the small birds in the forests just outside Canberra and visits the suburbs regularly. Breeding records however, appear to be declining (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.

LSCCES Population

Highest numbers were found at the ANBG, followed by BMt, CSIRO, ANU and BMP.

Associated vegetation community

Striated Thornbills usually prefer high-rainfall and thick eucalypt forest; however they are also found in drier, more open woodland areas. Within urban parklands, they prefer more mature vegetation of at least 10 years in age.

Limiting Resources

This species requires good water sources and thick vegetation, preferring to feed in the highest, thickest parts of tall eucalypt trees. They are also more easily found in areas with complex vegetation layers, including shrubs, logs and groundcover.

Breeding

Striated Thornbills build a neat, rounded nest of grass and bark bound with spider web and hung from branches from 1-20m off the ground. The breeding season runs from early September to early January. The female incubates the three eggs for around 17 days and both parents care for the young in the nest for 20 days after hatching.

Behaviour

This species is harder to spot than most other small birds, as it prefers to move constantly in the very thick tops of tall eucalypt trees. It is not migratory, although population numbers vary, dipping to lowest levels in spring.

Functional Group

This species is mostly an Insectivore, but does eat nectar and seeds occasionally.

Food Species

Striated Thornbills forage for insects in large flocks, often mixing with other insect-eating birds. They will eat most insects, but are known for eating psyllids and reducing insect infestations.

Predators

The height at which this species flies and feeds makes it less susceptible to predation than many other small birds.

Interesting Fact

Fan-tailed Cuckoos (Cacomantis flabelliformis ) are known to enjoy the Striated Thornbill's nest, laying their eggs there and leaving their young to benefit from the free food and foster parenting.