Grey Grasswren - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Amytornis barbatus barbatus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 25 Jun 2004

Profile last updated: 01 Nov 2022

Description

The Grey Grasswren is a very distinctive, pale grey-cinnamon coloured grasswren with a striking black and white pattern on the head. The species is 18-20cm in size with both sexes and juveniles similar colours but slightly paler in females and young. The black lines through the eye and around the white face give the impression of a facial mask.

Distribution

Confined to areas dominated by Lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta) along tributaries of the Diamantina River and Coopers Creek in the Lake Eyre drainage basin, and along the lower Bulloo River. In NSW the Grey Grasswren is recorded from Caryapundy Swamp above the Bulloo Overflow (Bulloorine).

Habitat and ecology

Shelters, roosts, nests and feeds almost entirely within dense, tall Lignum, with associated Sandhill Canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) and sedges in swamps, overflow channels and flood pans. Old Man Saltbush communities close to Lignum are also heavily utilised at times. The grasswren may be forced into stands of Canegrass or Oldman Saltbush growing on surrounding sand dunes when the areas of Lignum become flooded.
Although thought to be largely sedentary, and in territorial pairs when breeding, groups of between 15 and 40 individuals forage together outside the breeding season; other movements may occur, associated with floods and droughts.
Builds loose and bulky grass nest in Lignum or Canegrass, between 30 and 75 cm above the ground.
Insect larvae comprise the bulk of its diet, but mature insects and at times water snails are also eaten.
Preliminary radio-tracking surveys indicate grasswrens utilise foraging territories of 10-100 ha with a mean of 57ha.
Not dependent on surface water and can persist in dense lignum habitat even if dry for several years.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Channel Country

Threats

Clearing of Lignum, either by direct means or through the use of fire, destroys habitat.
Grazing by introduced herbivores, especially cattle, is a threat as it can reduce denseness of lignum thickets.
Hydrological changes have the potential to alter flooding patterns and thus the structure and value of habitat.
Predation by foxes and cats is likely to occur but its effects are as yet unknown.
Pigs root and dig up in and around lignum - degrading groundcover habitat.
Uncertainty as to the full distribution of the species' population and its habitat.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Control vertebrate pest populations (e.g., foxes, cats and rabbits) that either prey on or compete for resources.
Implement appropriate fire regimes so as to not burn all habitat and food resources within a region at one time, and to promote natural succession.
Reduce stock intensity (or exclude/control grazing) to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, such as food sources or nest sites.
Apply appropriate water regulation in wetland habitats.
Retain understorey shrubs and allow them to complete their life cycle (i.e., seed set, germination, establishment, growth to maturity).
Prevent clearing of habitat such as nesting sites and food sources.
Protection and conservation of wetland habitats.

Information sources

Garnett, S.T., Szabo, J.K. and Dutson, G. (2011) Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria)
Hardy, J.W. (2010) Distribution, status and options for the future management of the Grey Grasswren Amytornis barbatus barbatus in New South Wales. Corella 34: 25-35
Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. and Steele, W.K. (eds) (2001) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 5: Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
McAllan, I.A.W. and Cooper, R.M. (1995) The distribution of the Grey Grasswren in New South Wales. Australian Birds 28: 65-70
NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Grey Grasswren - Endangered species determination - final.
Schodde, R. and Christidis, L. (1987) Genetic differentiation and subspeciation in the Grey Grasswren Amytornis barbatus (Maluridae). Emu 87(3): 188-192

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Channel Country	Bulloo	Known	The Bullorine
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Known	The Bullorine
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None

Sounds

Images

Grey Grasswren, Narriearra, NW NSW Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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