Opalton grasswren
Preserving the critical habitat of the Opalton grasswren
The future of the Opalton grasswren, a small native bird with distinctive plumage, is looking brighter as Queensland expands its protected natural areas.
Species overview
With its distinctive plumage but elusive nature, the Opalton grasswren is hard to spot as it scurries between spinifex clumps in outback Queensland.
We are still gathering knowledge about the species’ cultural significance, ecology and behaviour.
In 2020, the Opalton grasswren was recognised as a distinct species from the similar striated grasswren.
This species is found only in three locations:
- a small area in the Forsythe Range around Opalton
- at Lark Quarry, south of Winton
- in and near the Goneaway National Park.
Behaviour and ecology
The Opalton grasswren is a ground-dwelling bird that eats insects, seeds, and small invertebrates. The grasswren’s sharp eyesight and keen hearing help it detect prey and avoid predators.
The Opalton grasswren constructs its nest in dense spinifex, which provides protection from predators and shelter from harsh environmental conditions. The female lays a clutch of 2–3 oval-shaped, whitish or pale-coloured eggs with fine speckling. Once hatched, the young stay with their parents for about 14 days.
Characteristics
The Opalton grasswren has:
- a slender, small build
- long legs and a long tail
- distinctive black and white plumage with bold streaks of chestnut
- rufous-brown upperparts
- a white throat and pale underparts.
Threats
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Inappropriate fire regimes
- Introduced predators, such as feral cats and foxes
- Climate change, particularly drought and increased fire intensity.
What’s being done?
- In 2024, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, we purchased the Vergemont Station, a 352,589-hectare cattle grazing property in western Queensland.
At least 300,000 hectares of the property will become a national park following a transition period, enabling the former landowner to move their business off the property.
The future national park will help preserve the critical habitat of the Opalton grasswren, the endangered night parrot and the vulnerable yellow-footed rock-wallaby.
At the headwaters of the Lake Eyre Basin, the property helps protect a vast tract of land, nearly 1.5 million hectares. Lake Eyre Basin is one of Queensland’s most important inland river catchments and one of the last remaining free-flowing arid river systems globally. - In 2024, we also bought Tonkoro Station (around 138,000 hectares). The station adjoins Goneaway National Park and is known to be part of the lands of the Maiawali people. This purchase expands Queensland’s protected areas and supports the recovery of the Opalton grasswren and the night parrot.
The acquisition of Tonkoro Station will connect the protected area corridor from Diamantina National Park, Mt Windsor Nature Refuge, Pullen Pullen Special Wildlife Reserve and Goneaway National Park, creating a total protected area of 1,220,102 hectares.
Who is helping?
- Queensland’s national parks and protected areas play an important role in protecting threatened species. As part of the Queensland Protected Area Strategy 2020–2030, we’re acquiring more land to expand our protected area system and help conserve critical species habitat.
- The Nature Conservancy
A $21 million-dollar donation to this global environmental organisation supported the purchase of Vergemont Station, helping preserve critical Opalton grasswren habitat.
How you can help
- Report any sightings of the Opalton grasswren by emailing Threatened.Species@des.qld.gov.au.
- Make a donation to support Queensland threatened species protection and science and research-based initiatives.
- Find out more about how you can help support threatened species efforts.