Banded Whiteface

1. White face with a thin black band running through the eye

2. Narrow black breast band on creamy-white underparts

3. Ground-foraging in small flocks in arid, open habitats

These birds are primarily ground foragers, feeding on seeds and insects, and often join mixed flocks with other desert birds like Yellow-rumped Thornbills and Crimson Chats. The Banded Whiteface is nomadic or sedentary depending on seasonal conditions, moving in response to rainfall and food availability. Breeding usually occurs from July to September or after significant rain. Their nests are round and hollow with a long tubular entrance, constructed on the ground near shrubs from twigs and grass, and lined with flowers and feathers. Females lay 3 or 4 eggs per clutch, and both parents are likely involved in incubation and care of the young. Notably, the Banded Whiteface can enter torpor at night during winter, lowering its body temperature to conserve energya rare adaptation among small birds`.`

Banded Whitefaces are found across the arid and semi-arid zones of inland Australia, including southwestern Queensland, central and southern Northern Territory, northern South Australia, and into mid-Western Australia. They inhabit sandy and stony plains with scattered mulga, bluebush, saltbush, and spinifex, often moving in pairs or small groups. Look for them hopping along the ground between low shrubs, sometimes perching briefly on fence lines or small bushes. They are most active during cooler morning and evening hours`.`