Striated Fieldwren

The Striated Fieldwren, Calamanthus fuliginosus, or just Calamanthus, is sometimes referred to as a mystery bird. It is fairly uncommon, restricted to a small strip in the south east corner of the mainland and Tasmania, and is particularly shy. Researchers are still working to try and determine just how many races there are, what are its main movements, etc.

birdlife.org

Striated Fieldwrens are easily overlooked – they tend to be shy and remain concealed unless startled or driven from cover and normally, you only get brief glimpses of them. They mostly hop and run across the ground, rather rodent-like.

They are found in coastal heathlands consisting of tussocky grasses, sedges and saltbush. Most references say they can be found in alpine heaths too but that has not been my experience yet.

On a couple of recent excursions coastwards, a couple of us ticked them at Jack Smith Lake near Darriman and at the Reef Island and Bass River Mouth Nature Conservation Reserve at Bass.

Fieldwren habitat is enjoyed by other fauna too

Habitat loss due to coastal urbanization and grazing provide something of a threat to this endemic little bird however there is not a lot of certainty about their population sizes.

They have a long breeding period from July to December at least and may have two or more broods a season. Striated Fieldwrens build a conical-shaped nest of fine grasses etc, low down and well-concealed in the tussocks and sedges.

One reference I came across states they have a distinct smell and are/were referred to as ‘stinkbirds’. This reference suggested it was to deter the presence of quail dogs. Hmmm, perhaps?

Westernport Bay, Bass Coast, 90 Mile Beach and Gippsland Lakes are good places to maybe catch a glimpse – good luck.