Australian Reed Warbler

1. Uniform brown upperparts and pale underparts with no streaking

2. Long, slender bill and flat crown

3. Loud, complex song often heard before the bird is seen

These birds feed mainly on insects and spiders, foraging among reeds and occasionally in nearby shrubs or mudflats. Southern populations migrate northward for winter, while northern birds are mostly resident. Breeding occurs from September to December in southern Australia and from October to December in the southeast. Both parents build a deep cup-shaped nest between reed stems, though females contribute more to construction. Females incubate 2–4 eggs for 13–15 days, and both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after about 1–13 days. Parents continue to care for fledglings for several weeks.

Australian Reed Warblers inhabit a wide range of wetlands across Australia, including freshwater and brackish swamps, lake edges, reed beds, and even urban ponds with dense vegetation. They are most often detected by their song, as they typically remain hidden within reeds and rushes, rarely venturing far from dense cover. During the breeding season, listen for their calls in the early morning and late afternoon.