Falcunculus frontatus

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Family

Pachycephalidae

Genus

Falcunculus

Species

frontatus

Common Names

Crested Shrike-tit, Woodland Shrike-tit, Crested Tit, Eastern Shrike-tit

Distinguishing Features

This is a brightly coloured species, 15-19cm in size. The head appears especially large, due the tall, black crest on the top of the head and the massive bill. The head is black and white, with a black top crest, black stripe across the eye and a black throat. The underparts are bright yellow. The back, wings and tail are olive-green to brown. Females are distinguished by the olive-brown colour of their throat. Young birds have a small crest and have a brown back with very pale cream-yellow underparts.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A soft, downward whistle of 'whiert, whi-whit, wheeeir', a harsh chatter and some mimicry.

Similar Species

The Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis ) is similarly coloured, but lacks the crest and massive bill.

Distribution

Three subspecies of the Crested Shrike-tit are found across mainland Australia, one in the southern tip of WA, one in the north of WA and NT and the other around the east, from north QLD down to VIC and across to Adelaide.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

A small population number has been sustained over the past 25 years of bird survey (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999. It is generally rare across its range, unless in a particularly ideal habitat area. The northern population (Falcunculus frontatus whitei) is Endangered and declining due to habitat fragmentation. The western population (Falcunculus frontatus leucogaster) is Near Threatened in response to the loss of half its range to land clearing.

LSCCES Population

Six birds were sighted at Black Mountain Peninsula.

Associated vegetation community

The Crested Strike-tit inhabits eucalypt forest, woodland, pine forest and along watercourses through dry country.

Limiting Resources

Tree and food density and is very important to this species and is not sufficient within the suburbs. In the Canberra region, the health of the surounding woodlands are important to the local survival of the species.

Breeding

The breeding season of the Crested Shrike-tit runs from August to January.  The male bird chooses a nest site in a steep tree fork at the top of a eucalypt tree, from 5-20 metres off the ground.  The female builds a beautiful cup of bark shreds, bound by spider web and decorated with moss. A clutch of 2-3 eggs with grey-blue spots is incubated for about 16 days. Young birds are then ready to leave the nest after 14-17 days.

Behaviour

This species is usually fairly shy, spending time in high trees, foraging alone or in small family groups. The sound of tearing bark is a good indicator that the bird is nearby, using its strong bill to lever bark apart in search of insects. The bill can also be used to crack open seed cases or hard insect shells. During the breeding season, males attract females by quivering and waving his wings.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

The Crested Shrike-tit forages for insects under tree bark and will also occasionally eat fruits, berries and seeds.

Predators

Cats (Felis catus) may attack this species while it feeds on tree branches.

Interesting Fact

Some bird watchers describe the call of the Crested Shrike-tit as a stuttered 'knock-at-the-door' sound.