Striated Fieldwren

1. Heavy black streaking across both upperparts and underparts, more pronounced than in most other small Australian birds.

2. Strongly cocked tail posture, visible even at a distance.

3. Pale eyebrow (supercilium) creating a clear facial pattern.

Striated Fieldwrens feed mainly on small insects and other arthropods, foraging on the ground and among low plants. They are usually seen alone or in pairs and remain well-concealed except when singing. Breeding typically occurs from late winter to early summer, with pairs sometimes raising multiple broods in good years. The nest is a compact, dome-shaped structure with a side entrance, built on the ground under grass tussocks or dense shrubs. Females lay 3–4 eggs and are known to remain on the nest until closely approached. While not globally threatened, the species is considered vulnerable in New South Wales due to habitat loss from urban development, wetland drainage, and agriculture.

Striated Fieldwrens inhabit coastal and near-coastal areas from Adelaide to south of Sydney, as well as throughout Tasmania. They prefer low, dense vegetation such as heathlands, sedgelands, saltmarshes, and tussock grasslands, often near wetlands or lagoons. The best times to observe them are at dawn and dusk during the breeding season, when males sing from exposed perches. Most of their time is spent hidden in thick vegetation near the ground, so listening for their musical song is often the best way to locate them.