Hello Filipio, I’m not sure if anyone other than Philip has responded to your query, but neither species tends to favour being in gardens, and in particular dense vegetation, though in my experience “out of season” Rufous Songlarks do tend to sulk about
under cover.
Most of the two species will already have left Canberra by now, and those that remain are likely to be very quiet and not giving their characteristic calls. However, they should be distinguishable from their plumage if you’ve been able to get a good look.
The songlark is a relatively plain bird and when not calling its rufous rump is its main ID feature (the scrubwren also has a rufous rump) whereas the female triller is lighter and the buff edges to its wing feathers form a very noticeable pattern.
I trust this is of some help.
Jack Holland
From:
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 9:46 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] query: Triller or Songlark
I am wondering if people have a view as to which of the following two birds is more likely to appear as a solitary individual in a Canberra backyard (foraging in a dense clump of raspberry canes) around this time of year (i.e. early February):
a (female) White-winged Triller or a Rufous Songlark.
Realizing that both these summer migrants are somewhat uncommon, and most frequently seen in woodland.
