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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Acanthizidae
  4. ›
  5. Acanthiza
  6. ›
  7. Tasmanian Thornbill
Tasmanian Thornbill
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Tasmanian Thornbill

Acanthiza ewingiiGould, 1844

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Acanthizidae
Genus
Acanthiza

At a glance

The Tasmanian Thornbill is a tiny bird, about 11–12 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
11–12 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Tasmanian Thornbill look like?

The Tasmanian Thornbill is a tiny bird, about 11–12 cm long and weighing 6–11 g.

The Tasmanian Thornbill is a small bushland member of the Acanthizidae family, endemic to Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands. It is a common bird in these regions and is often found occupying the colder, wetter portions of them. The brown thornbill will typically occupy the correspondingly drier portions of habitat.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
11–12 cm
Weight
5.5–10.5 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Tasmanian Thornbill?

The Tasmanian Thornbill 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 Tasmanian Thornbill eat?

The Tasmanian Thornbill feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

3 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Tasmanian Thornbill live in Australia?

The Tasmanian Thornbill is endemic to Australia, recorded across 11 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingTasmania (south-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant
  • Resident

5 regions recorded