Little Grassbird

Let me see - it's been what? 48 hours since I was snuggled up in the family room, thick sweater, socks and a heater. Today couldn't be more different. 24 degrees, sunshine, and far too beautiful not to take yet another trip to Laratinga. (Sorry Rower, couldn't resist)

So glad I did, because I saw another bird for Blipbigyear. This rather nondescript little fellow, who looks rather like a sparrow with white eye-liner is, in fact, a Little Grassbird (Megalurus gramineus).

Here's some info:

The Little Grassbird is a small, unobtrusive dark brown-grey bird. It has a grey-brown head with a pale eyebrow, chin and throat and the crown and cheeks are streaked dark grey. The upper body is brown-grey, streaked dark grey, the dark wing feathers are edged with white and the paler grey underbody is also streaked. Young birds are more uniform grey with finer streaking.

Distribution:
The Little Grassbird is found across eastern Australia and Tasmania, inland to central Australia and in south-western Australia. It is also found in New Guinea.

Habitat:
The Little Grassbird is found in swamps and marshes, preferring thick reed beds, and will occur in temporary wetlands after rains.