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. Pachycephalidae
  4. ›
  5. Colluricincla
  6. ›
  7. Sandstone Shrikethrush
Sandstone Shrikethrush
Photo · John Gerrard Keulemans

BirdUp · Species

Sandstone Shrikethrush

Colluricincla woodwardiHartert, EJO, 1905

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Pachycephalidae
Genus
Colluricincla

At a glance

The Sandstone Shrikethrush is a medium-sized bird, about 25–27 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
25–27 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 Sandstone Shrikethrush look like?

The Sandstone Shrikethrush is a medium-sized bird, about 25–27 cm long and weighing 46–62 g.

The sandstone shrikethrush is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is endemic to Australia. Alternate names for the sandstone shrikethrush include the brown-breasted shrike-thrush and sandstone thrush.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
25–27 cm
Weight
46.3–62 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Sandstone Shrikethrush?

The Sandstone Shrikethrush 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 · Kubara trail and surrounds, Kakadu NP, Northern Territory

Call

Thomas Mesaglio · Kubara trail and surrounds, Kakadu NP, Northern Territory

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Sandstone Shrikethrush eat?

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

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

The BirdUp app

Log your next Sandstone Shrikethrush 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 Sandstone Shrikethrush live in Australia?

The Sandstone Shrikethrush is endemic to Australia, recorded across 17 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNorth-east WA to north-west QLD (north Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Non-breeding
  • Resident

4 regions recorded