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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Oreoicidae
  4. ›
  5. Oreoica
  6. ›
  7. Crested Bellbird
Crested Bellbird
Photo · (c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Crested Bellbird

Oreoica gutturalis(Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Oreoicidae
Genus
Oreoica

At a glance

The Crested Bellbird is a medium-sized bird, about 19–23 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
19–23 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 Crested Bellbird look like?

The Crested Bellbird is a medium-sized bird, about 19–23 cm long and weighing 53–78 g.

The crested bellbird is a medium-sized passerine bird in the family Oreoicidae. It is native to drier parts of Australia where its typical habitats are acacia scrublands, eucalypt woodlands, spinifex and saltbush plains, and dunes. The male is about 20 cm (8 in) long and has a grey head, a black crest and breast, and a grey or olive brown body. The female and juvenile are similar but the colours are more muted and the black breast is lacking. The distinctive call is a high pitched bell-like sound, audible at some distance. Sometimes a pair of birds duet.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
19–23 cm
Weight
53–77.5 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Crested Bellbird?

The Crested Bellbird 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 · Laverton-Leonora Road, just east of Kookynie-Malcolm Road, Western Australia

Call

Thomas Mesaglio · Yeo Lake Nature Reserve, Western Australia

Call

jimchurches · Cobar, AU-NS, AU

Call

jimchurches · Euabalong NSW 2877, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Crested Bellbird eat?

The Crested Bellbird feeds on seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Crested Bellbird live in Australia?

The Crested Bellbird is endemic to Australia, recorded across 71 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning inland Australia.

BreedingInland Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Non-breeding

7 regions recorded