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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Acanthizidae
  4. ›
  5. Oreoscopus
  6. ›
  7. Fernwren
Fernwren
Photo · By TonyCastro - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60476654

BirdUp · Species

Fernwren

Oreoscopus gutturalis(De Vis, 1889)

Updated 24 June 2026

Conservation status: EndangeredOrigin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Acanthizidae
Genus
Oreoscopus

At a glance

The Fernwren is a tiny bird, about 12–14 cm long, listed as Endangered and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
12–14 cm
Conservation status
Endangered
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Rare
Movement
Resident
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Fernwren look like?

The Fernwren is a tiny bird, about 12–14 cm long and weighing 10–29 g.

The fernwren has a white eyebrow and throat, enclosing a dark brown face. Beneath the white throat, it has a black bib. It has a long-slender bill. The upperparts are dark olive-brown and the underparts paler. It is 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) in length. The female is very similar to the male. Juveniles are dark brown without the white facial markings of the adult.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
12–14 cm
Weight
10–28.5 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Watch for a distinctive rhythmic head-bowing motion paired with frequent, energetic upward flicks of the short tail while moving on the ground.

flight

  • Rarely seen flying more than a few meters, it typically uses short, low-level bursts to move between dense cover or root buttresses.

size_and_shape

  • Recognizable by its remarkably compact, plump silhouette and notably short tail, which creates a strong visual contrast with its slender bill.

voice

  • Listen for a series of thin, high-pitched whistles or a diagnostic buzzing, raspy scold that sounds like a miniature electric motor.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Fernwren?

The Fernwren 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

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Fernwren eat?

The Fernwren feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Fernwren live in Australia?

The Fernwren is endemic to Australia, recorded across 3 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingMontane south-east Cape York Pen., north-east QLD (north-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Resident

4 regions recorded