Southern Whiteface

1. Off-white face with a thin black border above the bill

2. Short, stubby dark bill and compact, rounded body

3. Forages on the ground in small, active groups

Southern Whitefaces feed mainly on insects and other small arthropods, but also take seeds and some plant material. They are ground foragers, actively searching leaf litter and bare earth for food. Breeding typically occurs from July to October, but may extend to December or shift in response to rainfall. Nests are domed with a side entrance, constructed from grasses and bark and lined with feathers or fur, and are placed in tree hollows, dense shrubs, or sometimes unusual sites like fence posts or even discarded containers. Clutches usually contain 3–4 eggs, which are incubated by the female, though both parents and sometimes additional helpers feed the chicks. The young fledge about two to three weeks after hatching.

Look for Southern Whitefaces in open woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands across southern mainland Australia, especially in areas dominated by mulga, saltbush, or bluebush. They prefer habitats with scattered trees and sparse ground cover, often foraging in bare patches between vegetation. These birds are usually seen in groups of 2–8, but can gather in larger flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes joining mixed-species feeding parties.