Dusky Grasswren
Amytornis purnelli
Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli) is a member of the Maluridae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 21 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Maluridae Australasian Wrens
- Genus Amytornis
- Species purnelli
Where it lives
East-central WA, south-central NT and northwestern WA (north-central Australia)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 21 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Maluridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Dusky Grasswren is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Dusky Grasswren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli) is a member of the Maluridae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU ec WA, sc NT and nw WA (nc Australia).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 21 g, with a wing length of about 6.1 cm and a tail of around 7.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 653,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Dusky Grasswren?
The Dusky Grasswren is a small bird that weighs around 21 g.
Where does the Dusky Grasswren live?
The Dusky Grasswren is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU ec WA, sc NT and nw WA (nc Australia), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Dusky Grasswren belong to?
The Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli) belongs to the Maluridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Dusky Grasswren eat?
The Dusky Grasswren is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Dusky Grasswren migrate?
The Dusky Grasswren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Dusky Grasswren endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Dusky Grasswren make?
1 real field recording of the Dusky Grasswren — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Dusky Grasswren's range?
The Dusky Grasswren has a mapped global range of about 653,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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