October bird of the month: Australian Reed-Warbler

5 things about Australian Reed-Warblers

Here’s five things you may or may not know about your October Bird of the Month, the Australian Reed-Warbler!

1. A sweet song, but who’s singing?

The song of the Australian Reed-Warbler has been described as ‘sweet’, ‘beautiful’, ‘rich’, ‘splendid’, ‘musical’ and ‘cheerful’, but it is sometimes difficult to distinguish from the similar song of the Brown Honeyeater.

2. Midnight sonata

Reed-warblers often sing at night during spring.

3. Long-distance operator

The longest distance a reed-warbler has been recorded moving was 2119 kilometres, flying between Coleraine in western Victoria and Ingham in North Queensland.

4. Taking a wrong turn

Once, a reed-warbler accidentally took a wrong turn on migration and flew clear across the Tasman Sea, arriving on the West Coast of New Zealand.

5. For whom the bell tolls

A reed-warbler nest was once occupied by Southern Bell Frogs, which prevented the birds from incubating their eggs.