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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Acanthizidae
  4. ›
  5. Acanthiza
  6. ›
  7. Buff-rumped Thornbill
Buff-rumped Thornbill
Photo · (c) Peter Crowcroft, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Buff-rumped Thornbill

Acanthiza reguloidesVigors & Horsfield, 1827

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Acanthizidae
Genus
Acanthiza

At a glance

The Buff-rumped Thornbill is a tiny bird, about 10–11 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
10–11 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Buff-rumped Thornbill look like?

The Buff-rumped Thornbill is a tiny bird, about 10–11 cm long and weighing 5–10 g.

The buff-rumped thornbill is a small passerine bird species belonging to the genus Acanthiza, most of which are endemic to Australia. Measuring 8–10 cm in length, this unassuming thornbill is characterised by its plain greenish brown upperparts and very pale-yellow underparts, with a distinctive buff coloured rump. The tail has a broad, blackish band with a paler tip. Adults possess white irises, whilst juveniles have dark eyes. The buff-rumped thornbill is one of 14 species within the genus Acanthiza genus, which are recognisable by their thin, pointed bill. Species are unique in their plumage and distribution. Despite their shared name, the genus is not related to hummingbirds.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
10–11 cm
Weight
5–10 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Buff-rumped Thornbill?

The Buff-rumped Thornbill is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

graeme lunt · Lal Lal VIC 3352, Australia

Call

Jono · R5M5+85, Forde ACT 2912, Australia

Call

graeme lunt · Buninyong VIC 3357, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Buff-rumped Thornbill eat?

The Buff-rumped Thornbill feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Buff-rumped Thornbill live in Australia?

The Buff-rumped Thornbill is endemic to Australia, recorded across 36 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning east and south-east Australia.

BreedingEast and south-east Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant
  • Breeding
  • Passage

8 regions recorded