Mountain Thornbill
Acanthiza katherina
Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) is a member of the Acanthizidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 7.2 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Acanthizidae Australasian Warblers
- Genus Acanthiza
- Species katherina
Where it lives
Montane southeastern Cape York Pen., northeastern QLD (northeastern Australia)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 7.2 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Acanthizidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Mountain Thornbill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Mountain Thornbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) belongs to the Acanthizidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane se Cape York Pen., ne QLD (ne Australia).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 7.2 g, with a wing length of about 5.2 cm and a tail of around 4.1 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 58,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Mountain Thornbill?
The Mountain Thornbill is a very small bird that weighs around 7.2 g.
Where does the Mountain Thornbill live?
The Mountain Thornbill is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane se Cape York Pen., ne QLD (ne Australia), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Mountain Thornbill belong to?
The Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) belongs to the Acanthizidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Mountain Thornbill eat?
The Mountain Thornbill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Mountain Thornbill migrate?
The Mountain Thornbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Mountain Thornbill endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Mountain Thornbill make?
1 real field recording of the Mountain Thornbill — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Mountain Thornbill's range?
The Mountain Thornbill has a mapped global range of about 58,000 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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