Rufous-crowned Emu-wrens - one of the iconic birds of Central Australia

The Rufous-crowned Emu-wren must be one of the birds most Australian photographers and bird-listers would love to see and photograph. For a long time, I have been trying to get better photos of this tiny bird. Pizzey and Knight list it as 12-13 cms including the tail which can be 6.5 - 7.5 cms, meaning the bird itself without the tail is only 6 cms or so. In anyone's estimation, that is a small bird! Previously I have managed photos of the bird hidden behind many spinifex strands, and at a distance. Recently, however, I managed to finally enjoy some close up views, and delighted in their playful jumping, diving and disappearing act amongst the spinifex.

Their call is fairly high-pitched and quite short, with a few exciting squeaks from within the spinifex. It is almost as though they are saying "found an insect!" The males are more colourful than the females, but both birds are beautiful to see.

They seem to enjoy early morning, in full voice before the sun rises, then jump and hop around the spinifex for the first hour or so after sun rise. On the morning the photos were taken, there was a spectacular sunrise with cloud cover.

They are quite widespread through inland Australia, and I am very glad they are found only a short distance from my home. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Rufous-crowned Emu-wren

Male

Female

Sunrise

Habitat