Cincloramphus macrurus
The Papuan Grassbird (*Cincloramphus macrurus*) is a captivating yet often elusive passerine from the family Locustellidae, renowned for its streaky plumage and an exceptionally long, graduated tail. Measuring between 20 and 25 cm (8-10 inches) in length, much of its stature is attributed to its distinctive caudal appendage. Its upperparts are a complex mosaic of dark brown and tawny streaks, while the underparts transition to a buffy-white, often accentuated by a faint pale supercilium. Thou...
The Papuan Grassbird predominantly inhabits tall, dense grasslands, sedges, reeds, and cane fields, often found in swampy or seasonally wet areas. It is typically a lowland species but can occur up to 1800 meters in montane grasslands of New Guinea.
Primarily insectivorous, the Papuan Grassbird feeds on a variety of invertebrates such as grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and caterpillars, which it gleans from dense vegetation. Small seeds may occasionally supplement its diet.
The Papuan Grassbird is a secretive and predominantly diurnal species, spending most of its time hidden within dense, tall vegetation, only occasionally perching conspicuously. Foraging involves gleaning insects and other invertebrates from grass stems and leaves, with occasional short aerial sal...
The Papuan Grassbird is a widespread resident across the island of New Guinea, encompassing both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian West Papua, where it is found throughout the lowlands and into the hills up to approximately 1800 meters. Its distribution extends southward into northern Australia, pr...
Least Concern
- The Papuan Grassbird is a master of camouflage, making it incredibly difficult to spot amidst the dense grasslands it calls home. - Its scientific name, *Cincloramphus macrurus*, reflects its long tail, with "macrurus" meaning "long-tailed" in Greek. - Males perform a spectacular aerial song-fl...