Orange Chat

Images ©:
Bob Winters | The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industry/McCann

Epthianura aurifrons

Small bird, up to 12 cm. Long, broad, rounded wings. Short square ended tail. Long, thin legs. Short, slender straight bill. Brush-tipped tongue. Males' throat is black, rump is a golden orange with a tail finely tipped with white. Female chats are mottled in grey-brown with underparts being a softer fawny yellow.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Chat
Biology

They are often seen in pairs or in small groups of up to 15 birds. At the start of the breeding season flocks disperse into pairs. After the pair has formed, the male accompanies the female at all times until the eggs have been laid and chases other birds.
Distinctive Markings

Male feathers are a deep warm orange-yellow. The colour is strongest on the crown and breast. Straighter and on average shorter bills, than the Yellow Chat.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Meliphagidae
Genus
Epthianura
Species
aurifrons

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The Orange Chat is nomadic, and moves around irregularly. During a drought or a dry spell they will be absent.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore. Mosty feeds on spiders and small insects, ants, bees, wasps, beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers. Occasionally eats seeds.
Habitat

Found in arid and semi-arid zones, in open grasslands, shrubland and sedgeland.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
The call is a vibrant, metallic "twang tang" and a softer "tchek tchek".