How to identify little yellow birds

Bird ID

30 Jan

6 minute read

Little brown birds often have a tinge of yellow. Here is how to identify six common species - the thornbills (Buff-rumped, Yellow and Yellow-rumped), the gerygones (Fairy and White-throated, the Eastern Robin and the Weebill.

A little brown birds guide is also available here.

Eastern Yellow Robin

This plump and colourful robin has bright yellow underparts. Find it in eastern Australian forests, perching low and hunting from tree trunks. It’s super friendly - listen for its slow whistle or loud double call.

Fairy Gerygone

This small, plain bird lives in the coastal subtropical forests and mangroves of Queensland. It has a thin bill is grayish-brown above with subtle green and yellow feathers below. The male has distinctive white facial markings that look like whiskers on either side of its face. The female and juvenile birds don't have these markings, just a light patch above the bill.

Weebill

This tiny bird has a stubby bill. Look for it’s mainly creamy yellow body. You’ll hear it all year-round, making a call that sounds like "I'm a wee-bill". It lives in eucalypt woodlands, hunts bugs with other tiny birds and is mainly found up high in the tree-tops. Look for its hover.

White-throated Gerygone

This small bird with a thin bill is known for its warbling song. It lives on the open woodlands of northern, eastern and southern mainland Australia. You’ll notice its grey-brown feathers on top of its body and bright yellow below. It has a distinctive white tail spot.

Yellow Thornbill

This thornbill is found in eastern Australian forests and you’ll usually see it hunting insects in trees. It is mainly yellow with streaked cheeks and a dark eye. Adult birds have an orange-wash of feathers on their throat.

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

This is one of the larger thornbills. It has a thin bill, black tail and bright yellow bottom (rump). It lives in diverse habitats (including farms) and forages on the ground, often in flocks.