General Description

Body olive-brown, underparts fawn-white, a pale fawn eyebrow. Small, with head to tail length up to 17 cm. More often heard than seen. Vocalisations consist of a melodious "dzee-dzee-dzee-quarty-quarty-quarty" song or loud, sharp "tuk" and scolding alarm calls.

Biology

Australian Reed-warblers are a summer migrant travelling south to breed. They are often seen flying low over water or clinging to reeds. Pairs defend small breeding territories. Reeds and various other water plants are woven together to form a deep cup nest with a narrow top. Nests are lined with feathers and dry grasses and are attached to reeds. The shape of the nest is thought to prevent eggs from rolling out, even during windy conditions when reeds are bent down. The usual clutch size is three to four eggs which the female incubates. They perch low down on reeds or on floating vegetation to catch insects. Males call frequently during the breeding season.

Distribution

Papua New Guinea. Mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

Reed beds in wetlands.

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