Gibberbird
A species of Gibberbird Scientific name : Ashbyia lovensis Genus : Gibberbird
Gibberbird, A species of Gibberbird
Botanical name: Ashbyia lovensis
Genus: Gibberbird
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Don Roberson
Description
The gibberbird has a distinctive visage which is characterized by a grey crown, yellow forehead, face and underbelly with a black to grey-brown rump. The bill is a dark brown to black with grey-brown feet. The iris of the eye is a distinguishing shade of bright yellow. Unlike other chats, the gibberbird only has slight sexual dimorphisms between the male and female. Females differ very slightly and can sometimes be distinguished by more brown plumage, especially around the throat, face and neck. They can also have a heavier breast band and a generally duller appearance in comparison to the males. Juveniles appear similar to adults, with a brown back, crown and wings, and a pale yellow throat. The gibberbird is monomorphic in terms of length and weight. Generic measurements have been found to range from 12.5 to 13 cm (4.9 to 5.1 in) in length and 14 to 20 g (0.49 to 0.71 oz) in weight.
Size
14 cm
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
Gibberbird are opportunistic feeders, mainly consuming a variety of invertebrates and insects. They forage on the ground, overturning soil for larvae, and occasionally chase insects in flight. Uniquely, they bash larger prey before consumption.
Habitat
The gibberbird is typically found in sparsely vegetated, arid desert landscapes characterized by stony or gibber plains. Its preferred environment includes open shrubland-grasslands with plants like saltbush (Atriplex), bindyi (Sclerolaena), and Mitchell grass (Astrebla). The species may also inhabit claypan areas where open saltbush vegetation is present.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
The gibberbird is endemic to Australia and is known to inhabit the sparsely vegetated, stony regions of gibber desert. This habitat can include very open shrubland or grasslands. The extent of distribution for the gibberbird has been denoted as the southeastern Northern Territory, south-west Queensland to north-west New South Wales and across the northeastern region of South Australia. This species is more common on the sparsely vegetated, stony plains of the Lake Eyre basin and adjoining regions. It is primarily a sedentary species with no records of migration patterns; however, there have been some local movements outside of breeding season, presumably for resource attainment, especially in times of drought or flood. Gibberbirds are observed in sparsely vegetated stony deserts with a scattering of grasses such as Astrebla and Enneapogon. It is also found in low chenopod shrubland, which is mainly dominated by plant species such as Sclerolaena and Atriplex on higher ground. In the stony deserts of northern South Australia, gibberbirds can often be encountered in low, open shrubland or grassland of Atriplex vesicaria, Frankenia Serpyllifolia and Astrebla pectinata.
Species Status
The gibberbird is classed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is possible that the gibberbird is one of the few species that has actually benefited from the introduction of stock, both through the modifications of its habitat and the increased availability of insect larvae during the winter season.
Photo By Don Roberson
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Honeyeaters Genus
Gibberbird Species
Gibberbird