fbpx

White-fronted Chat

Listen to audio

Habitat: Wetland, Coastal

Habitat

The White-fronted Chat lives in salt marsh and other damp areas with low vegetation such as swampy farmland and roadside verges. Sometimes occurs on beaches and the edges of lakes.

Did you know?

Once thought to be a type of thornbill, scientific studies have shown that chats are actually honeyeaters.

Behaviour

White-fronted Chats often forage in flocks of around 20 birds that congregate in areas where there are temporary outbreaks of insects.

Feeding

White-fronted Chats run along the ground, picking up small insects, usually less than 5 mm long. Midges, kelp-flies, plant bugs and beetles are popular food items.

Breeding

White-fronted Chat males and females form pairs towards the end of winter, while they feed in flocks. They sometimes nest in loose colonies, with nests as close as 5 m to each other. Males defend a small nest-site territory, but not necessarily for a whole breeding season. Second clutches will often be laid in locations that are different from earlier nests. Males follow their mates closely, during their fertile period, watching them from prominent perches, and chasing any males that may approach them. Only the female builds the nest (guarded closely by the male at all times), but both sexes take equal roles in incubation and feeding of the young.