Banded Whiteface Aphelocephala nigricincta Scientific name definitions

9–10 cm; 11 g. Has whitish face (tinged cream in fresh plumage), chin and throat, narrow black forehead band along upper edge and extending down through eye on to greyish-brown ear-coverts, thin blackish line from forehead to bill, indistinct short dusky streak behind eye; crown light brown, finely streaked grey, grading to light chestnut-brown on nape, hindneck and side of neck; upperparts warm chestnut-brown, grading to dark chestnut on rump and scapulars, with clear white margins on tertials and upperwing-coverts; tail black, shading to brown at base, all rectrices except central pair having narrow white outer edge and broad white tip; creamy white below , narrow chestnut to buff wash on sides of upper breast sometimes grading to pale rufous-brown mid-body, narrow black band on lower breast (narrowest in centre), rest of underparts white, with rich rufous blotching on flanks; iris white or cream; bill black or grey-black; legs grey-black. Sexes alike. Juvenile is like a paler version of adult, with less distinct face pattern, duller breastband (may be broken), duller rufous flank blotches.

Arid inland Australia, mostly in Western Australia, S Northern Territory and N & NE South Australia.

Open shrublands and grasslands in arid and semi-arid areas. Inhabits sandy and stony hills and plains with scattered vegetation, including mulga (Acacia), bluebush (Maireana), saltbush (Atriplex), Eremophila, Cassia and Hakea; also locally in spinifex (Triodia). Frequents burnt and dead areas.

Little information available. Takes insects; also seeds, including those of Setaria viridis. Generally forages in pairs or in small flocks of up to ten individuals; flocks more common in non-breeding season. Forages on ground , sometimes in low trees and shrubs. Joins flocks with either or both of its congeners, also with Acanthiza chrysorrhoa and Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor).