Bird of the week, the Kalkadoon Grasswren

Grasswrens! Well if you are looking for a Birding challenge, you really can't go past this group of Australian birds.  

All the Grasswrens are tricky. Some Birders have described them as 'Looking for a needle in a haystack.' Ken Cross describes them as such, but adds 'only the needle is trying to hide from you' 

The Kalkadoon Grasswren, is found in the spinifex lined escarpments, ridges and gullies of the Selwyn Range near Mt Isa in arid North Western Queensland. Appropriately named after the Kalkadoon Aboriginal People of the area. 

Their diet consists of mainly spinifex seeds and insects in about equal proportions. Breeding occurs between July and October. The nest is constructed from grass and twigs and built in the spiked spinifex. Young are fed by both parents and perhaps other members of the troupe

Unfortunately the threats are all to familiar and include inappropriate fire regimes, feral cats, climate change and poor grazing practices. Fortunately recognition and respect of Aboriginal People's, culture and skills, learned over millennia are helping to mitigate these threats. 

Sometimes hours of patience and perseverance are required to find this little bird. I can tell you though, all that effort is most satisfying. 

Keep the dream alive on our North West Queensland Safari for 2021, because the Kalkadoon Grasswren is high on the list. Enjoy