ID Little Brown Birds

They’re small, brown, and notoriously hard to tell apart! Meet the birds known to birders as LBBs (Little Brown Birds). This guide will help you identify six common species - Inland Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Tasmanian Thornbill, Western Gerygone and White-browed Scrubwren.

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Brown Thornbill

Red eye, tan-chestnut coloured fronds on forehead and dark striations on chest. Common species found mainly on Australia’s East Coast.

Inland Thornbill

Scallop-looking feathers on forehead and often cocks its reddish rump and tail. Found in most Australian states and territories.

Striated Thornbill

Copper cap with tiny white streaks and striations on chest. Found mainly in middle and upper canopy, hanging out in eucalyptus trees (sometimes hovering).

Tasmanian Thornbill

Forehead feathers are lightly scalloped, face is greyer than Brown Thornbill and wings have rufous edges. Is only found in Tasmania.

Western Gerygone

Appears more olive-brown as a juvenile (pictured) with red eye, faint white eyebrow and white-tipped tail. Mainly found along the East Coast.

Not a thornbill:
White-browed Scrubwren

Face has white eyebrows and white whisker marks, and rump is rufous coloured. Found across Australia.

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