Dusky Grasswren

1. Rusty-brown, finely streaked plumage with no bold facial markings.

2. Long tail often held cocked upright while moving.

3. Females show a distinctive rusty-brown patch on the flanks.

Dusky Grasswrens feed on a mix of small arthropods, seeds, and desert fruits, using their fine bills to probe between rocks and spinifex. They build dome-shaped nests hidden within dense spinifex clumps and usually breed after rainfall, when food is more plentiful. Breeding season is largely undocumented but suspected around July \- October. Unlike some other arid-zone birds, they are thought to be sedentary, staying in the same rocky territories year-round. Their populations are stable, but they are sensitive to habitat changes, especially fire, which can take decades to recover suitable habitat.

Dusky Grasswrens are found in the rocky ranges and outcrops of central Australia, particularly in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia. They are most often seen in areas with mature spinifex grass among rocks and boulders, such as the MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs and other remote gorges and ridges. The birds are typically observed in pairs, foraging on the ground and using their mouse-like movements to stay hidden. Early mornings are the best time to spot them, and their sharp metallic calls or drawn-out “seeep” sounds can help locate them.