Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)

Julien,
This is a toughy! I have looked through all of my images of S. malachurus and can only say, it could be, a female, but I can't be definite because of the quality of the photo.

Looks like it to me.... does the female have any blue?

I have just looked up whether the female has blue and NO she doesn't.
Immature male has paler blue throat, no blue eyebrow. So maybe that is what it is.

Thanks to both of you for your quick replies. Julien

So can I put it in the database as Southern Emuwren? Or is it still in question?

Michael,
I view this as uncertain still. Why don't you throw it in a thread in the ID forum and see what some of the Aussie members think of it.

I have never seen an emu-wren (might see a Mallee Emu-wren this weekend though - wish me luck!) but I don't really see how it could be anything else. As for the species, of that there is no doubt.

If it's an emu-wren at all, it has to be Southern. The Mallee Emu-wren is not found within 500 kilometres of the Gippsland Lakes, and the Rufous-crowned not within 2000 km.

Of the three, it looks most like the male Southern in my guide (Moorcombe); the habitat is right .... Unless it's something completely unrelated (and I can't think what that might be - the under-chin colouration together with the plainish head is pretty distinctive) I'd count that as definate.

It's official...we've put it in the database

Nice one Julien,
Finally saw the last in the set in September at Newhaven (NT), heard the high-pitched 'see' call coming from some spinifex and tracked down 2 beautiful male Rufous-crowned. Saw Mallee at Mallee-Sunset NP a couple of years back and Southern is reasonably easy near home at Cooloolah NP, Qld......please see if you can get a pic with the tail!

This bird is being discussed here:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=287549#post287549

Any notes (by the photographer) on tail, back, behavior, etc., would be appreciated.

While there still is some discussion going on, I for one am fairly certain it isn't an Emu-Wren (heavy blackish speckling on throat, overall rather greysih head, short stubby bill, etc.).

EDIT: The consensus seem to be Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)

Sorry about not replying to all the comments, I have just arrived back in East Gippsland where the photo was taken. It was taken in scrubby bush close to Lake King and Mitchell River. The call was what attracted me in the first place. A sound a bit like the fairy wren but more metalic and insect like. Having also just read the disussion thread I think it looks a bit like the brown Thornbill (Pizzey & Knight) but it was much smaller (without tail) than 10cm.
I only got one shot, partly blurred without any tail but will post the full photo and hope it helps. Thanks everyone and many apologies for not answering questions etc,
When I am in Gippsland I use a different server who frequently forgets to pass emails on to me.