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.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
A small honeyeater with a black breast band and white throat.
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Maximum Size
13 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Insects
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Least Concern
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Taxon Name
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Common Name
White-fronted Chat
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
albifrons