Eastern Bristlebird

1. Long, rusty-red tail often cocked upright

2. Red eyes and short, dark bristles around the bill

3. Loud, melodious song that carries through dense vegetation

Eastern Bristlebirds are primarily ground foragers, feeding on insects, spiders, seeds, and small fruits found in leaf litter and around logs. Their breeding season runs from August to February. Females build dome-shaped nests hidden in dense grass or shrubs, usually laying two eggs per clutch. Only the female incubates the eggs and cares for the young, though often only one chick survives. These birds are poor flyers and prefer to run through vegetation.

Eastern Bristlebirds are now restricted to three main regions: the Border Ranges on the NSW/Queensland border, the Illawarra and Jervis Bay regions of eastern NSW, and the far southeast corner of NSW and eastern Victoria (Nadgee and Croajingolong National Parks). They inhabit dense, low vegetation in coastal heathlands, grassy forests, and shrublands, often near the ground. The best chance to detect them is at dawn, when their calls are most frequent. Look for them running between tussocks or low shrubs, as they rarely fly and prefer to stay hidden in thick cover.