Photo: Keith Lightbody / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus superciliosus
Western Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus superciliosus) — 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 Western Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus superciliosus) is a member of the Meliphagidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 9.7 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 Meliphagidae Honeyeaters
- Genus Acanthorhynchus
- Species superciliosus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9.7 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Spinebill is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Western Spinebill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Western Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus superciliosus) belongs to the Meliphagidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU sw WA (sw Australia).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9.7 g, with a wing length of about 6.1 cm and a tail of around 5.4 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 182,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Spinebill?
The Western Spinebill is a very small bird that weighs around 9.7 g.
Where does the Western Spinebill live?
The Western Spinebill is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU sw WA (sw Australia), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Western Spinebill belong to?
The Western Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus superciliosus) belongs to the Meliphagidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Western Spinebill eat?
The Western Spinebill is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Western Spinebill migrate?
The Western Spinebill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Western Spinebill 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 Western Spinebill make?
1 real field recording of the Western Spinebill — 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 Western Spinebill's range?
The Western Spinebill has a mapped global range of about 182,000 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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