Grasswren

This article is about a genus of Australian birds. For the species of South and Central American bird, see grass wren.

Grasswren
Striated grasswren (Amytornis striatus)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Maluridae
Genus:	Amytornis Stejneger, 1885
Type species
Malurus textilis Dumont, 1824
Species
see text
Synonyms
Amytis Lesson 1831 Diaphorillas Magnamytis

Grasswrens (Amytornis) are a genus of birds in the Australasian wren family, Maluridae.

Taxonomy and systematics

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:

Image	Common Name	Scientific name	Distribution
	Grey grasswren	Amytornis barbatus	New South Wales/Queensland
	Black grasswren	Amytornis housei	Western Australia.
	White-throated grasswren	Amytornis woodwardi	Northern Territory.
	Carpentarian grasswren	Amytornis dorotheae	Northern Territory/northwest Queensland.
	Short-tailed grasswren	Amytornis merrotsyi	South Australia
	Pilbara grasswren	Amytornis whitei	west Western Australia
	Sandhill grasswren	Amytornis oweni	central Western Australia to central Queensland and northwest South Australia
	Opalton grasswren	Amytornis rowleyi	Queensland, Australia
	Striated grasswren	Amytornis striatus	South Australia and Victoria
	Eyrean grasswren	Amytornis goyderi	Central Australia
	Western grasswren	Amytornis textilis	northwest Western Australia and South Australia
	Thick-billed grasswren	Amytornis modestus	New South Wales and South Australia
	Dusky grasswren	Amytornis purnelli	Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.
	Kalkadoon grasswren	Amytornis ballarae	western Queensland

Description

Grasswrens are the largest members of the Australasian wren family, ranging from 15 g (0.53 oz) for the Eyrean grasswren to the 35 g (1.2 oz) 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 endemic 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

• 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. ISBN 978-84-96553-42-2