Animalia Life

Aphelocephala leucopsis
SUBFAMILY
Acanthizinae
TAXONOMY
Xerophila leucopsis Gould, 1841, Adelaide, South Australia.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Chestnut-bellied whiteface, white-faced titmouse, eastern whiteface, tomtit; French: Gйrygone blanchвtre; German: Fahlrьcken-Weisstirnchen; Spanish: Ratona Blanca.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
4.5 in (11 cm); 0.4 oz (11 g). Gray-brown upperparts and whitish underneath. Forehead is white with black edge extending to eye. Dark tail tipped white. Stubby, finch-like bill.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern and central Australia, though generally avoiding coastal areas.
HABITAT
Open eucalypt and acacia woodland, grassland and farmland with scattered trees.
BEHAVIOR
Typically in small to sometimes large groups, often with finches or small insectivores. Actively hops on ground, reminiscent of a sparrow. Song consists of musical, bell-like notes and twittering calls. Sedentary.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mostly forages on the ground for small invertebrates and seeds, but also takes insects from shrubs and bark of trees.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Breeds from June to November. Nests are typically in shrubs or small trees but may be placed in hollows or even buildings. Two to five dull white eggs, with sparse brown or red speckles.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Fairly familiar to many people in drier farming areas.

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