Grasswrens are birds in the genus Amytornis, part of the Australasian wren family, Maluridae.
Taxonomy
The genus name
Amytornis was coined in 1885 by the Norwegian born zoologist Leonhard Stejneger as a replacement for
Amytis that had been introduced in 1831 by the French naturalist René Lesson.
[ Published in 8 livraisons between 1830 and 1831. For the publication date see: ] The name
Amytis was pre-occupied as it had been used in 1822 by the French zoologist Marie Jules César Savigny for a group of
annelid worms.
Amytornis is the only genus classified within the subfamily Amytornithinae, and form a separate clade to the related fairy-wrens and emu-wrens within the family Maluridae. The genus contains 14 species, many of which are poorly known due to their secretive nature and remote and inaccessible habitat.
Extant species
The genus contains the following 14 species:|
|
| New South Wales/Queensland |
| Western Australia. |
| Northern Territory. |
| Northern Territory/northwest Queensland. |
| South Australia |
| west Western Australia |
| central Western Australia to central Queensland and northwest South Australia |
| Queensland, Australia |
| South Australia and Victoria |
| Central Australia |
| northwest Western Australia and South Australia |
| New South Wales and South Australia |
| Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. |
| western Queensland |
|
Description
Grasswrens are the largest members of the Australasian wren family, ranging from for the Eyrean grasswren to the white-throated grasswren. They generally have long tails and legs and short wings and are adapted for life foraging on the ground. The bill is typically shorter and narrower than the fairy-wrens and emu-wrens, which reflects the larger part that seeds play in their diet. The plumage of the grasswrens is cryptic, usually red, buff and brown patterned with white and black.
Distribution and habitat
Grasswrens are endemism to Australia. They inhabit remote arid or semi-arid regions of the continent in the interior and north. Species typically occupy small ranges as well. Most species of grasswrens inhabit habitat dominated by spinifex. They are often found in hilly areas dominated by rocks, which provides them with prey as well as shelter, particularly thermal shelter from extremes of heat or cold.
Further reading
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Del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions.
