Australia
SpeciesField NotesLog inDownload

Field notes

Stay in the loop

Get updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

By subscribing, I agree to receive BirdUp Australia updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

Australia
Download for iOSDownload for AndroidSpeciesField NotesRSSNewsletterBrandPrivacyTerms

BirdUp Australia Pty Ltd © 2026. Made in Australia for Australian birders.

  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Dasyornithidae
  4. ›
  5. Dasyornis
  6. ›
  7. Rufous Bristlebird
Rufous Bristlebird
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Rufous Bristlebird

Dasyornis broadbenti(McCoy, 1867)

Updated 11 June 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Dasyornithidae
Genus
Dasyornis

At a glance

The Rufous Bristlebird is a medium-sized bird, about 23–28 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
23–28 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Rufous Bristlebird look like?

The Rufous Bristlebird is a medium-sized bird, about 23–28 cm long and weighing 68–90 g.

The rufous bristlebird is one of three extant species of bristlebirds. It is endemic to Australia and three subspecies have been described, from coastal south-western Western Australia, south-eastern South Australia and south-western Victoria. Its natural habitat is coastal shrublands and heathlands. It is threatened by habitat destruction.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
23–28 cm
Weight
68–90 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Rufous Bristlebird?

The Rufous Bristlebird 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

George Cox · M849+3C Rocky Point Rock Pools, Jan Juc VIC 3228, Australia

Call

porkytama · Kingston, Coorong, AU-SA, AU

Call

Peter Crowcroft · Anglesea VIC 3230, Australia

Call

Julia Palmer · Jan Juc VIC 3228, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Rufous Bristlebird eat?

The Rufous Bristlebird feeds on fruit, seeds and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

Log your next Rufous Bristlebird in the field

A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.

Get the appRead field notes
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report incorrect info

02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Rufous Bristlebird live in Australia?

The Rufous Bristlebird is endemic to Australia, recorded across 9 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning south-west and south-east Australia.

BreedingSouth-west and south-east Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

6 regions recorded