Home Learn Animal Facts Eastern Bristlebird

Eastern Bristlebird

  • Length Approx. 20cm (including tail)
  • Weight 40 grams
  • Class Bird
  • Gestation 21 days incubation
  • # of Young 2
  • Diet Insects, grass seeds and occasionally small fruits
  • Status Endangered
  • Features & Adaptations
  • Habitat & Environment
  • Diet
  • Lessen The Threat

Saving the Eastern Bristlebird

Conservation efforts for the Eastern Bristlebird in the wild focus on habitat management, including controlling invasive weeds and reducing the threat of feral predators to support local populations.

Carefully managed fire regimes also play a vital role in maintaining the grassy environments this species depends on. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary contributes to these efforts through a dedicated breeding and release program, helping to strengthen wild populations and secure the future of this endangered bird.

Eastern Bristlebird Facts

  • Common Names

    Eastern Bristlebird

  • Scientific Names

    Dasyornis brachypterus

  • Family

    Dasyornithidae

Do You Know?

Eastern Bristlebirds are incredibly elusive, even experts rarely catch a glimpse. These shy birds are usually detected by their distinctive, loud call long before they’re seen.

Close-up of a small brown bird with a pointed beak, with green grass and brown leaves blurred in the background.

Eastern Bristlebird Features & Adaptations

A small, camouflaged, shy and cryptic bird. They can only fly very short distances.

A small brown bird stands on the ground among green grass blades and dry brown leaves.

Eastern Bristlebird Habitat & Environment

A ground dwelling bird that occupies low, dense bushland and grassy vegetation along the south-east coast of Australia.

Eastern Bristlebird Distribution

Map of Australia divided into its six states and two mainland territories, with different colors outlining each state and territory.

Eastern Bristlebirds are found in South Eastern Queensland and North Eastern New South Wales.

A small brown bird holding an insect in its beak stands on the ground among dry leaves and green grass.

Eastern Bristlebird's Diet

Bristlebirds are ground foragers. Their diet consists of insects, grass seeds and occasionally small fruits.

Life Cycle of Eastern Bristlebirds

Eastern Bristlebirds usually live between 10 and 12 years in the wild. For Eastern Bristlebirds bred in specialist care, breeding takes place from August to April. Females usually lay 2 eggs at a time.

A small brown bird stands among tall dry grass, partially camouflaged by the surrounding vegetation.

Threats to Eastern Bristlebirds

Habitat loss, predators and degradation are the biggest threats to Eastern Bristlebird populations. Population monitoring has seen an 80% decline since the 1980's.

A small brown bird stands on the ground amid dry leaves and green grass, facing forward with its head slightly turned.

Ways to lessen the threat to Eastern Bristlebirds

  • Find our more about the species
  • Donate to conservation programs
  • Purchase from wish list

Gallery

A small brown bird is partially hidden among green leaves and branches on the forest floor.
A small brown bird with a red eye stands on leaf litter, partially obscured by green grass blades.

Jingeri – Hello

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the greater Yugambeh language region, the Country on which Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital are situated today. We recognise their continuing connections to the land, sky, waters (waterways), and wildlife. We thank them for caring for this Country and its ecosystems.

We celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.

Birds
A vibrant red and orange bird