Striated Grasswren
A species of Grasswrens Scientific name : Amytornis striatus Genus : Grasswrens
Striated Grasswren, A species of Grasswrens
Botanical name: Amytornis striatus
Genus: Grasswrens
Content
Description General Info
Description
The striated grasswren is one of 11 species in the genus Amytornis, commonly known as the grasswrens, found only in arid and semi-arid areas of Australia. All are small cryptic birds with long, usually cocked-tails, characterised by diagnostic distinctive interscapular gap in the feathering, an enlarged auditory bulla (tympanic chambers) and ten rectrices. The striated grasswren is a slim, long-tailed grasswren with a slender pointed bill. The plumage is highly variable across its range, suited to local soil and rock colour; birds are slightly sexually dimorphic; females have a brighter rufous flank-patch. All populations are soft red-brown above, streaked white; an orange-buff eyebrow and fore-supercilium; white throat; bold black submostachial stripe; and buffish underbody. Like other grasswrens they have short rounded wings and are unable to undertake long flights, typically flitting or hopping from perch to perch within vegetation, and run or hop when on the ground in a series of fast jerky movements. While closely related to the familiar fairy-wrens (Malurinae) striated grasswrens are larger (17-20g c.f. 6-16g), and more sombrely coloured, with varyingly prominent white streaking on varying shades of brown, rufous and black plumage. Striated grasswrens are usually seen as pairs, but sometimes as individuals, and often in small groups of up to five birds, which are unobtrusive, shy, and typically difficult to approach, often first detected by their calls. When breeding, birds may be inquisitive of intruders of their territory. 
Size
19 cm
Feeding Habits
Striated Grasswren diet consists of insects like beetles and ants, plus spinifex seeds. They forage on the ground and glean from low vegetation, sometimes associating with other bird species during these activities.
Habitat
The striated Grasswren typically inhabits Triodia-dominated landscapes, often mingled with shrubs or mallee eucalypts, across arid to semi-arid zones. Its preferred environments include sandy plains, dunes, and rocky inclines, where it enjoys the shelter and resources provided by these hardy grasses and sparse woody vegetation.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Behavior
Striated grasswrens may be active throughout the day, and in warm temperatures (over 35 °C) may be observed thermoregulatuing by holding wings partly open, but are generally more active in the early morning and late afternoon. Like other grasswrens, striated grasswrens mainly forage on the ground, sifting through leaf-litter beneath shrubs and surrounding spinifex Triodia tussocks, never far from cover. While foraging, birds move mainly by hopping, with tail help almost vertical, when moving through shrubs and dense vegetation, tail help horizontal. When disturbed in the open, move with great speed and agility from cover-to-cover with a half-bounding half-flying action reminiscent of a bouncing ball.
Distribution Area
Striated grasswrens are the most widespread of the grasswrens, with a range which extends from the through northern South Australia, across central and southwestern New South Wales, northwest Victoria and into southern and eastern South Australia. Populations of striated grasswren are strongly associated with sandplains, dunes and stony hills dominated by spinifex (Triodia) grass, with or without an overstorey of shrubs such as grevillea, Hakea, acacia banksia or mallee eucalypts. Spinifex provides critical habitat for foraging and protective nesting and cover for this species, and most other species of grasswren. Striated grasswren have been shown to have a preference for areas with large hummocks of spinifex, 25–40 years post-fire, though birds have been found to occupy some areas 6 to 8 years after fire. , South Australia]]
Species Status
The striated grasswren is listed as near threatened nationally under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and within Victoria under the DELP Advisory List; and vulnerable in NSW under the Threatened Species Conservation Act and South Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Australasian wrens Genus
Grasswrens Species
Striated Grasswren 
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