Distribution Map
Large-billed Gerygone
Gerygone magnirostris
NativeStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Large-billed Gerygone (Gerygone magnirostris) is a small songbird native to northern Australia and New Guinea. It is best known for its preference for mangrove habitats, though it can also be found in adjacent woodlands and forests in some regions. This bird is an active insect hunter and is often heard before it is seen, thanks to its musical, varied song`.`
Fun Facts
Large-billed Gerygones often build their nests near wasp colonies, which helps protect them from predators as the wasps deter intruders while tolerating the birds.
1. Broad, slightly curved bill and broken pale eye-ring.
2. Bright reddish eyes in adults; juveniles have duller eyes and a yellowish throat.
3. Olive-brown upperparts with off-white underparts.
This species feeds primarily on insects, gleaning and snatching prey from leaves and branches. Large-billed Gerygones are agile and territorial, often seen alone or in pairs. Breeding has been observed in all months. Their nests are remarkable, hanging like flood debris from branches, sometimes suspended over water, and often built near wasp nests for added protection from predators. Both parents participate in nest building and feeding the young, and breeding can occur year-round in northern Australia, with peaks during the wet season.
Large-billed Gerygones are found along the northern coasts of Australia, from the Kimberley region in Western Australia, through the Northern Territory, to northeastern Queensland. They are most commonly associated with mangrove forests but may also be seen in nearby paperbark woodlands and riparian zones, especially outside Western Australia. They are active throughout the day, often foraging in the middle to upper canopy, and their song is a reliable way to locate them.
Physical Attributes
Height
11 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds4%
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