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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Psophodidae
  4. ›
  5. Psophodes
  6. ›
  7. Chirruping Wedgebill
Chirruping Wedgebill
Photo · Broinowski, Gracius J.

BirdUp · Species

Chirruping Wedgebill

Psophodes cristatus(Gould, 1838)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Psophodidae
Genus
Psophodes

At a glance

The Chirruping Wedgebill is a medium-sized bird, about 20 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
20 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 Chirruping Wedgebill look like?

The Chirruping Wedgebill is a medium-sized bird, about 20 cm long and weighing 27–48 g.

The chirruping wedgebill is a medium-sized member of the genus Psophodes, which consists or four to five songbirds endemic to Australia. Commonly found in low shrublands in south-eastern inland Australia, the species is distinguished by its distinctive, chirruping call. The chirruping wedgebill and chiming wedgebill were considered to be a single species until as late as 1973, when they were separated due to marked differences in their calls.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
20 cm
Weight
27.4–47.5 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Chirruping Wedgebill?

The Chirruping Wedgebill 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

Thomas Mesaglio · UNSW Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station, New South Wales

Call

Thomas Mesaglio · UNSW Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station, New South Wales

Call

Will Cornwell · Fowlers Gap NSW 2880, Australia

Call

Thomas Mesaglio · UNSW Fowlers Gap Arid Zone Research Station, New South Wales

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Chirruping Wedgebill eat?

The Chirruping Wedgebill feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Chirruping Wedgebill live in Australia?

The Chirruping Wedgebill is endemic to Australia, recorded across 21 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth-west QLD to east-central SA and north-west NSW (east-central Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Non-breeding
  • Breeding
  • Vagrant

7 regions recorded