General Description

Males: white face and underparts with a distinctive black stripe extending through the breast to the back of the head. Females: grey-brown with similar markings as the male. Juveniles: same colouring as females but lack the breast band. The bill to tail length is up to 13 cm. Call a short, metallic "tang" similar to a rubber band being plucked.

Biology

Flocks of up to 20 White-fronted Chats forage in areas with high densities of insects. They run along the ground feeding on small insects, such as beetles, midges and kelp-flies. At the end of winter, White-fronted Chats form breeding pairs and nest in colonies. Females build a cup-shaped nest from twigs and grass, guarded by the male who chases off other males who get too close. Typical clutch size is three to four eggs, incubated by both parents. Second clutches can be laid, often in a different nest.

Distribution

Southern mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

Salt marshes, open damp areas, swamps and farmlands.

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