White-winged triller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-winged triller |
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|---|---|
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| Male | |
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| Female | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lalage
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| Species: |
tricolor
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The white-winged triller (Lalage tricolor) is a small bird. It belongs to the cuckooshrike family. These birds live across mainland Australia. You might also find them on islands north of Australia. This includes places like New Guinea and eastern Indonesia.
Some trillers stay in one place all year. Others move around, especially in warmer areas. In cooler southern Australia, they arrive in summer. They come to these areas to breed and raise their young.
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About the White-winged Triller
White-winged trillers are quite common. They like to live in woodlands. You can also find them in open scrub areas. Near riverbeds in dry central Australia, they are often seen.
What They Look Like
Male trillers look different during breeding season. Their top feathers are black. Their belly feathers are white. They are very noticeable at this time.
Female trillers have similar patterns. But their colors are duller. They are fawn and white. Outside of breeding season, males look more like females. They only keep blackish feathers on their wings and tail.
Size and Diet
These birds are usually 16 to 18 centimeters long. That's about 6 to 7 inches. White-winged trillers eat many kinds of insects. They find food in different ways. They pick insects off the ground. They also find them on leaves. Sometimes, they catch insects while flying.
Their Song and Flight
During breeding season, male trillers sing a lot. They make a cheerful, trilling sound. They often fly up into the air while singing. Their wings flutter quickly during this "song flight."
Where They Live
White-winged trillers are found all over Australia. They prefer areas with trees and open spaces. They are well-adapted to different environments. This includes both wet and dry regions.
Classification of Trillers
Scientists are still learning about the white-winged triller. They are also studying its close relative. This is the white-shouldered triller. It lives in eastern Indonesia.
Some experts think these two birds are the same species. They might just be different types of the same bird. If this is true, the white-winged triller would be called Lalage sueurii tricolor.
Images for kids
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Female white-winged triller and a very well-camouflaged chick
