Short-tailed Grasswren

1. Shorter tail than other grasswrens, but still held upright when perched`1`.

2. Stouter bill and longer legs compared to similar species.

3. Females show a rufous patch on the lower breast and heavier streaking.

Short-tailed Grasswrens forage mainly on the ground, feeding on seeds, insects, and other small invertebrates, often moving singly or in small family groups. Their populations are closely tied to fire cycles: they recolonize burnt areas after about 5 years if spinifex has regenerated well, with peak densities in habitats 7–3 years post-fire. Nests are built in clumps of spinifex and are loosely constructed from dry grass, sometimes lined with rabbit fur. Eggs are elongated and white with reddish-brown spots. The species is vulnerable to frequent fires and habitat degradation from grazing by livestock and feral animals.

Short-tailed Grasswrens are found only in the Flinders and Gawler Ranges of South Australia. They inhabit rocky hillsides, ridges, and gullies with dense spinifex (Triodia) grass, often among scattered shrubs or small trees. These birds are most often encountered in mature spinifex grasslands, especially in areas that have not burned for 7–3 years. Early mornings are best for sightings, as the birds may briefly perch atop spinifex clumps and can be detected by their high-pitched “see” contact calls.