Striated Thornbill

1. Rufous-brown crown with fine white streaks

2. Olive-green upperparts with boldly streaked white throat and breast

3. Broad, pale eyebrow stripe and dark, slender bill

These birds are almost always found in groups, moving quickly through the treetops as they search for insects and spiders. Breeding occurs mainly from August to January, with nests built in the outer branches of trees or sometimes in shrubs. The nest is an oval or pear-shaped dome, often suspended from a slender twig and lined with soft materials. Females lay two to four eggs (usually three), and only the female incubates the eggs. After hatching, all group members feed the chicks, which fledge about 2 days later and stay with the family group until the next season.

Striated Thornbills inhabit eucalypt forests and woodlands with a well-developed shrub layer across southeastern Australia, from southern Queensland to eastern South Australia. They are most often seen in small family groups high in the canopy, sometimes joining mixed flocks with other small birds, especially in winter. They also occur in older parks, gardens, and remt woodland patches near farmland.