Crested Bellbird

1. Small, upright black crest on both sexes

2. Male’s white face and bold black breast band

3. Loud, bell-like call with a ventriloquial quality

Crested Bellbirds forage mainly on the ground or in low shrubs, feeding on insects, other invertebrates, and some seeds. They are typically solitary or found in pairs, especially during breeding season. Breeding generally occurs from August to December, but may extend into January in regions with regular winter rainfall, or after heavy rains in drier areas. Both parents incubate the eggs, with clutches usually containing 1-4 eggs. Nests are cup-shaped, placed in low forks or stumps, and are often decorated with immobilised, hairy caterpillars, which may serve as food storage or nest protection`.`

Crested Bellbirds are widespread in inland Australia, inhabiting dry eucalypt woodlands, acacia shrublands, spinifex grasslands, and saltbush plains. They are usually found west of the Great Dividing Range, from southern tropical northern Australia through South Australia to Western Australia. They prefer areas with scattered shrubs and ground cover, and are often easier to locate by their distinctive calls than by sight.

The Crested Bellbird is endemic to mainland Australia and has long been recognised for its unique, far-carrying call. Its various names in Aboriginal languages, such as *banbandhuluwi* (Yuwaalaraay-Gamilaraay) and *panpanpalala* (Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri), reflect the bird’s distinctive voice. Early European settlers also noted its memorable song, giving rise to names like “Dick-Dick-the Devil”`.`