This is the only one of the four chat species to occur away from central Australia. Although chats are members of the honeyeater family, they eat mainly small insects, such as midges, kelp-flies, plant bugs and beetles. White-fronted Chats occur right across southern Australia, including Tasmania, in salt marshes and other damp areas with low vegetation.

Only the female builds the grass nest, guarded closely and diligently by the male. They have a ‘Finch-like’ call. Both parents take equal roles in feeding of the young and incubation of the three or four purplish-spotted white eggs.

Size: 11-13cm

Photo and Illustration: Mark Trinham.