Image via Macaulay Library
Short-tailed Grasswren
- Scientific name
- Amytornis merrotsyi
- Family
- Maluridae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Grassland
- Wing shape
- Short
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Short-tailed Grasswren was formally described by Gregory Mathews in 1911, emerging from an era of intensive avian exploration across the arid interior of Australia. It belongs to the Maluridae family and is specifically adapted to the rocky, spinifex-covered landscapes of the Gawler Ranges and the Flinders Ranges. Its evolutionary trajectory is marked by a clear divergence from its closest relatives, driven by the isolation of arid habitats and the necessity of navigating dense, rugged shrubland.
The bird’s design—characterized by a distinctly short, rounded tail and truncated wing shape—is a functional response to its life on the ground rather than in the air. Ornithologists have long noted that these morphological features allow for rapid, mouse-like movement through jagged rocks and sharp vegetation, offering a specialized alternative to the flight-dependent strategies of other wrens. While its elusive nature often shields it from the public eye, it is regarded by conservationists as a vital indicator species for the ecological health of South Australian arid zones.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Short-tailed Grasswren
Short-tailed Grasswren is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Short-tailed Grasswren on collecto.rs?
Short-tailed Grasswren doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Short-tailed Grasswren?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Short-tailed Grasswren catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Short-tailed Grasswren is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
