Black Grasswren
Amytornis housei
Black Grasswren (Amytornis housei) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black Grasswren (Amytornis housei) is a member of the Maluridae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 28.9 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 housei
Quick facts
- Weight
- 28.9 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Maluridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Grasswren is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Black Grasswren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Grasswren (Amytornis housei) is a member of the Maluridae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Kimberley area, ne WA (nw Australia).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 28.9 g, with a wing length of about 7.2 cm and a tail of around 9.9 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 33,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Grasswren?
The Black Grasswren is a small bird that weighs around 28.9 g.
Where does the Black Grasswren live?
The Black Grasswren is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Kimberley area, ne WA (nw Australia), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Black Grasswren belong to?
The Black Grasswren (Amytornis housei) belongs to the Maluridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Black Grasswren eat?
The Black Grasswren is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Black Grasswren migrate?
The Black Grasswren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black 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 Black Grasswren make?
1 real field recording of the Black Grasswren can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black Grasswren's range?
The Black Grasswren has a mapped global range of about 33,000 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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Guides for this bird
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