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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Campephagidae
  4. ›
  5. Lalage
  6. ›
  7. Varied Triller
Varied Triller
Photo · (c) pimelea, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Varied Triller

Lalage leucomela(Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Native
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Campephagidae
Genus
Lalage

At a glance

The Varied Triller is a small bird, about 18–21 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
18–21 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Varied Triller look like?

The Varied Triller is a small bird, about 18–21 cm long and weighing 24–40 g.

The varied triller like its better-known relative the white-winged triller, is a smaller member of the cuckoo-shrike family, Campephagidae. Varied trillers prefer warm, reasonably moist environments and are found in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, along much of the tropical and sub-tropical coastal hinterland of eastern Australia, from about the Sydney area to the tip of Cape York Peninsula, in the moister part of the Kimberley, and throughout the Top End.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
18–21 cm
Weight
24–40 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Varied Triller?

The Varied Triller 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

James K. Douch · Smithfield Conservation Park, Smithfield, QLD, AU

Call

Tim · Kuranda QLD 4881, Australia

Call

Martin Rady · Redbank Creek QLD 4312, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Ourimbah, NSW, AU

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Varied Triller eat?

The Varied Triller feeds on fruit and terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Varied Triller live in Australia?

The Varied Triller is native to Australia, recorded across 33 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSouth New Guinea and satellites, Bismarck Arch. and north and east Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant
  • Non-breeding

7 regions recorded