Gibberbird facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gibberbird
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The gibberbird (Ashbyia lovensis) is a special kind of bird called a chat. It belongs to a large group of birds known as passerines, or perching birds. These birds are known for their sweet songs and perching on branches.

Discovering the Gibberbird's Family Tree

The gibberbird was once called the desert chat. It is found only in Australia, meaning it is endemic there. It's the only bird in its group, called Ashbyia. This group was named after Edwin Ashby, a bird expert from South Australia.

The second part of its scientific name, lovensis, honors Reverend James Love. He was an Irish missionary who lived from 1889 to 1947.

Scientists used to think the gibberbird and four other chats belonged to their own family. This family was called Epthianuridae. But now, experts believe they are actually a type of honeyeater. Honeyeaters are birds known for eating nectar.

The name "gibberbird" comes from its home: the gibber plains. These are flat, stony deserts. Unlike other chats, the gibberbird spends almost all its time on the ground. It finds food, rests, and builds its nest right on the ground.

What Does a Gibberbird Look Like?

The gibberbird has a unique look. Its head is grey, and its forehead, face, and belly are bright yellow. Its back is dark brown to grey-brown. The bird's beak is dark brown or black, and its feet are grey-brown. One of its most special features is its bright yellow eyes.

Differences Between Male and Female Gibberbirds

Unlike many other birds, male and female gibberbirds look very similar. This is called slight sexual dimorphism. Females might have a bit more brown on their feathers, especially around their throat, face, and neck. They can also have a slightly darker band across their chest. Overall, females might look a little duller than males.

Young Gibberbirds

Young gibberbirds, called juveniles, look a lot like the adults. They have a brown back, head, and wings. Their throat is a pale yellow.

Size and Weight of Gibberbirds

Gibberbirds are all about the same size and weight. They usually measure about 12.5 to 13 cm (4.9 to 5.1 in) long. They weigh between 14 to 20 g (0.49 to 0.71 oz).

Where Gibberbirds Live and Their Habitat

Gibberbirds live only in Australia. They prefer stony desert areas with not much plant life. This can include very open shrubland or grasslands. You can find them in the southeastern Northern Territory, southwestern Queensland, northwestern New South Wales, and northeastern South Australia. They are most common in the stony plains of the Lake Eyre basin.

Gibberbirds usually stay in one place and do not migrate long distances. However, they might move to new areas outside of breeding season. This often happens when they need to find food or water, especially during times of drought or flood.

They are often seen in stony deserts with scattered grasses. These grasses include Astrebla and Enneapogon. They also live in low shrubland with plants like Sclerolaena and Atriplex. In the stony deserts of northern South Australia, gibberbirds can be found in open shrubland with Atriplex vesicaria, Frankenia Serpyllifolia, and Astrebla pectinata.

Gibberbird Behavior and Life Cycle

What Gibberbirds Eat

Gibberbirds mainly eat small invertebrates. These include spiders, caterpillars, moths, cicadas, grasshoppers, and other insects. They are not picky eaters and will eat whatever they can find. For example, they have been seen eating blowfly larvae from sheep. They flip over clumps of clay with their beak to find these hidden maggots. Smaller larvae are eaten whole, but larger ones are hit against the ground before being swallowed.

Most of their hunting happens while walking on the ground. But sometimes, they will fly up to 1 meter high to catch flying insects. They can also run very fast over short distances to chase low-flying insects.

Gibberbird Reproduction and Nesting

Gibberbirds do not have a specific breeding season. They can build nests and lay eggs all year round. However, they are especially active after the first rains of the season.

The gibberbird's nest is usually in a shallow dip on the bare ground. It might be next to a small bush or a clump of grass. Gibberbirds often nest near other pairs, sometimes as close as 90 meters apart. If a nest is disturbed, pairs without eggs or young will leave to find a new spot. But pairs with eggs or young will stay to protect them.

The nest is a shallow dip, likely dug by the bird itself. It is lined with twigs and grass to form a cup shape. Around the cup, they build a platform of similar materials above the ground. They also use bark and rootlets for their nests. Sometimes, nests have even been found with flower parts, horse hair, or wool!

A female gibberbird usually lays between 2 and 4 eggs. Each egg is about 20 mm × 15 mm (0.79 in × 0.59 in) in size. The eggs are a pale pink or light flesh color. They have reddish spots, mostly clustered at the larger end of the egg.

When gibberbird chicks hatch, they are altricial. This means they are born blind and without feathers, needing a lot of care from their parents.

Gibberbird Calls and Songs

We don't know a lot about the gibberbird's calls, and more studies are needed. But we do know that they have a sweet song. This song is likely used to call to a mate. People have described it as a "musical chatter" or a squeaky "weet-weet-weet."

When there is danger, the gibberbird makes an alarm call. It's a series of 5 or 6 high, piercing notes. This sound tells other gibberbirds nearby to find cover.

During their display flight, they make a sharp "whit-whit-whit" or a clear "tswee-tswee-tswee" sound. This call is part of their courtship display.

Gibberbird Conservation Status

The gibberbird is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.

It's even possible that gibberbirds have benefited from humans bringing livestock to Australia. This is because the livestock can change the habitat in ways that help the birds. Also, there might be more insect larvae available for them to eat during winter.

See also

In Spanish: Eptianuro de Ashby para niños