Quick Reference: This guide lists species by common name and scientific name, followed by their primary known geographical range and specific habitat requirements or known sites with tips on searching.

For serious birders visiting Australia, few challenges compare to "connecting" with the Grasswrens. Skulking, cryptic, and inhabiting some of the continent's harshest and most remote environments, the genus Amytornis represents the ultimate prize in Australian ornithology. Aside from White-throated Grasswren, we target all species between three of our flagship Australia tours: The Outback; The South; The Kimberley & Pilbara.

Grasswrens are notoriously difficult to see. They are often dubbed "spinifex ghosts" for a reason. Many serious twitchers spend years trying to "clean up" the entire list. To help you plan your next birding adventure, we have compiled the definitive guide on where to find every recognised species of Australian Grasswren.

White-throated Grasswren (Amytornis woodwardi)

Where to find them: Endemic to the Arnhem Land sandstone plateau in the Northern Territory. This large, striking Grasswren is restricted to rugged sandstone country, often associated with bare rock pavements and large spinifex clumps. Access to Arnhem Land is highly restricted, making this the hardest species to see. The only reliable area known currently is several days walk behind Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park, permit and remot hiking experience required.

A pair of White-throated Grasswren perched on sandstone rock in the early morning (Joshua Bergmark).

Black Grasswren (Amytornis housei)

Where to find them: The remote northwest Kimberley region of Western Australia. Like the White-throated, this is a specialist of massive, dissected sandstone plateaus and gorges, particularly areas rich in large Triodia spinifex hummocks. The Mitchell Plateau provides the most reliable access for birders willing to make the journey, which we include on our Kimberley & Pilbara birding tours. Look for them bounding across rock ledges in the early morning shade on the hiking trails leading away from the campsite at Mitchell Falls, but loud contact calls often give them away.

Eyrean Grasswren (Amytornis goyderi)

Where to find them: The eastern Simpson Desert (QLD/SA border) and the Strzelecki Track. Once thought extinct, this is now perhaps the most numerous Grasswren, provided you can reach its habitat. They are utterly dependent on Sandhill Cane Grass (Zygochloa paradoxa) that grows on the crests of high, red sand dunes. The best strategy is to walk along isolated dunes near Birdsville which are spaced apart by unsuitable intermediary habitat, keeping an eye out for their distinctive footprints to let you know that you are approaching a territory.

An Eyrean Grasswren running around a desert dune with dry cane grass (Geoff Jones).

Grey Grasswren (Amytornis barbatus)

Where to find them: The Bulloo Overflow and Channel Country (Southwest QLD and Northwest NSW). This species is unique in its habitat preference. Unlike its spinifex-loving cousins, the Grey Grasswren inhabits dense, tangled lignum swamps and dry floodplains in extremely arid regions. The area around Tibooburra and the Bulloo River floodouts are key locations, but exact locations often change depending on recent flood conditions and the health of the lignum patches. They are incredibly secretive; more so than other grasswren species. Listen for high-pitched trills in thick lignum patches during early morning.

A Grey Grasswren with pale streaked plumage perched on dry lignum branches in a dry swamp (Geoff Jones).

Striated Grasswren (Amytornis striatus)

Where to find them: Formerly considered a single widespread species, the nominate form is now found across semi-arid mallee areas of Victoria and South Australia, but is extremely rare and mostly inaccessible nowadays in NSW. Core populations are found in areas with a dense understorey of spinifex (Triodia) growing beneath Mallee eucalypts. Key sites include the Murray-Sunset National Park (Vic) and Gluepot Reserve (SA), though recent burns can change the exact spots they are present so be sure to check eBird. They are often detected running between spinifex clumps rather than flying and can be hard to hear.

Opalton Grasswren (Amytornis rowleyi)

Where to find them: A tiny restricted range south of Winton, Queensland (specifically the Opalton area). This is one of the most localised birds in Australia and a major target for Queensland on our Outback birding tour. It is significantly rustier than other grasswrens, perfectly matching the deep orange soil of the "ferricrete" (ironstone) country it inhabits. The spinifex-covered stony ridges around the old mining settlement of Opalton and nearby dinosaur trackways at Lark Quarry are the only reliable place to see them.

Sandhill Grasswren (Amytornis oweni)

Where to find them: Although widespread across the remote sandy deserts of the Great Victoria Desert, the most accessible locations are near Uluru. While the sister species prefer stony ground, Sandhill Grasswrens are named for their specific habitat requirement: spinifex growing on loose sand dunes and sandplains. They are lighter and paler than their rock-dwelling cousins, but can easily be found on dunes with old spinifex on side roads near the resort complex at Yulara.

Pilbara Grasswren (Amytornis whitei)

Where to find them: The Hamersley Range in Western Australia. Once considered a subspecies of the Striated Grasswren, the Pilbara Grasswren is now widely recognised as a full species. It is endemic to the incredibly ancient, iron-rich landscapes of the Pilbara. They favor large, mature spinifex clumps growing on rocky substrates—often on the slopes of gorges or stony hills. Hills between Karijini National Park and the mining town of Newman are the premier locations to search, almost any one of these with large clumps of spinifex will host families of this special endemic.

Short-tailed Grasswren (Amytornis merrotsyi)

Where to find them: Rocky spinifex-covered hills in South Australia. They are extremely difficult to flush and prefer to run away while keeping their distance. Sadly overgrazing and fire has made the nominate eastern subspecies in the Flinders Ranges very rare, so it is now only easy to see the western subspecies pedleri in the Gawler Ranges, where the hills surrounding Mount Ive Station are a classic site. Be sure to call ahead, or join us on one of our birding tours to the south of Australia!

Short-tailed Grasswren of the western subspecies from Mount Ive Station (Joshua Bergmark).

Carpentarian Grasswren (Amytornis dorotheae)

Where to find them: The Gulf of Carpentaria region, particuarly on the NT/QLD border. This is a grasswren favouring rugged sandstone flats and valleys covered with thick spinifex. The areas near Borroloola (NT) and Mount Isa (QLD) offer the best chances, as most of the core range is almost completely inaccessible by road. Much of the traditional search areas near McNamara Road are now off limits and permission is expressly required from landowners of nearby properties if you hope to see one.

A Carpentarian Grasswren perched on a sandstone rock after running between spinifex clumps (Geoff Jones).

Kalkadoon Grasswren (Amytornis ballarae)

Where to find them: The Selwyn and Mount Isa Ranges in northwest Queensland. A relatively recently split species, the Kalkadoon is a "rock and spinifex" specialist found in the rugged, fiery-red hills surrounding Mount Isa. Good populations exist very close to the town itself. They are often seen perched on top of rocks offering their reel-like song just as the sun hits the slopes and are somewhat tame in places frequented by joggers from town.

Dusky Grasswren (Amytornis purnelli)

Where to find them: Restricted to the rocky ranges between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. This is another rock-dwelling species, heavily reliant on spinifex growing on steep slopes and gullies with little other vegetation. Like many areas in northern Australia, the habitats around Alice Springs are frequently subject to fires which destroy old-growth spinifex. Checking with locals is essential to work out where the best current sites to search are.

Thick-billed Grasswren (Amytornis modestus)

Where to find them: Arid chenopod shrublands in inland South Australia and parts of remote western NSW. This species avoids spinifex. Instead, it is found in low, open saltbush and bluebush plains, often along dry watercourses lined with acacia. The majestic plains around Lyndhurst and the start of the Strzelecki track are excellent areas, just stop anywhere with good thick bluebush and you have a chance. Their thicker bills are adapted for processing different seeds in this unique habitat.

Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis)

Where to find them: Patchily distributed in pockets of bluebush plain from the Shark Bay region of Western Australia to Port Augusta in SA. Like a few other species, they can sometimes be quite confiding in areas with higher human foot traffic like around tourist parking areas near Monkey Mia, often seen running across nearby walking tracks.

Are you read to take on the Grasswren challenge?

Finding Grasswrens requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to traverse some rugged Australian landscapes. The reward, however, is a glimpse of some of the world's most evolutionarily distinct and charismatic birds. Browse our Australian tour departures here.