Weebill
Smicrornis brevirostris· 细嘴莺科(2 photos)
Locations:
Weebill
8-9 cm. Tiny, with short horn-coloured bill, cream-buff eyebrow, whitish eye, dark-streaked ear-coverts. S. and e. races olive-green above, cream-buff below, with slight dark streaks; inland and n. birds smaller, paler, yellower - smallest Aust. bird. Pairs, family parties: flutters outside foliage, showing dark-banded, pale-tipped tail. Often heard before seen.
- Similar Species
- Yellow Thornbill.
- Voice
- robust: deep, far-carrying 'weebit, weebee!' or 'willy-weet, willy-weetee!'; quick, deep 'tidid tidid'.
- Habitat
- drier woodlands: river red gum/black box saplings; mallee, mulga, other acacias.
- Breeding
- Aug.-Feb.
- Nest
- hooded like baby's woollen bootee, of plant down, leaves, grass, spiders' web; in outer foliage, 1-10 m high.
- Eggs
- 2-3; white, buff-white, grey-brown, freckled brown.
- Range & Status
- mainland Aust., except treeless deserts, wettest forests, agricultural areas. Common. Sedentary; locally nomadic.
- Distribution key to races
- 1. Smicrornis brevirostris flavescens 2. Smicrornis brevirostris brevirostris 3. Smicrornis brevirostris ochrogaster 4. Smicrornis brevirostris occidentalis
