Description
The Brush Bronzewing reaches 320mm in length. It is dark olive-brown above with irridescent blue-green bands across each wing and a dark chestnut-brown throat patch and shoulders. A dark chestnut-brown stripe extends from the back of the neck through the eyes, underlined by white, which distinguishes the species from the similar Common Bronzewing. The underparts are blue-grey. The male has a chestnut forehead and grey crown. The female lacks the forehead patch and is generally duller.
Habitat
The Brush Bronzewing inhabits the dense shrub layer within forests, woodlands and scrub.
Diet
The Brush Bronzewing feeds on the ground on seeds of various plants. They are most commonly seen as singles or pairs.
Breeding
Breeding occurs predominantly from September to January, although eggs may be found in any month. The female builds a flimsy nest of twigs an rootlets on the ground or in dense brush. Two white eggs are laid.
Call
The call is a muufled "whoop".
Distribution
The Brush Bronzewing occurs from Fraser Island to the Eyre Peninsula. A geographically separate population is found in the southwest corner of Western Australia.
In Tasmania, the species is a common resident and is also found on the Bass Strait Islands.