About Calamanthus pyrrhopygius (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827)
The chestnut-rumped heathwren, with the scientific name Calamanthus pyrrhopygius (Vigors & Horsfield, 1827), is a small bushland bird. It reaches 14 cm (5.5 in) in total length. This species has an olive-brown back, paired with a noticeable reddish-brown rump and tail coverts. Its chest shows brown streaks over a white base, while the belly and rear flanks are grey-buff. Its normally held erect tail has a dark subterminal band and a white tip. Both males and females have a dull white eyebrow, yellow eyes, and grey bill, legs, and feet. Subspecies of this bird have only very small differences, which cannot be easily distinguished when observing the bird in the field. The chestnut-rumped heathwren is found in southeastern Australia. Its range extends from the Granite Belt of southeastern Queensland through eastern New South Wales, Victoria, and into southeastern South Australia. In Victoria, the species ranges inland as far as the Grampians and Bendigo region, though it is most commonly found in coastal areas. In New South Wales, it occurs inland as far as the Warrumbungles and Temora. Scattered populations live in the Flinders Ranges, Mount Lofty Ranges, and Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia. The bird prefers heath habitats in coastal, mountain, and hinterland areas, as well as the dense undergrowth of forests and woodlands. It is a sedentary species, and it is uncommon across its native range.
