Chestnut-rumped Thornbills are the most wide-ranging and common thornbills of southern inland Australia. In the east, they range from just west of the Great Dividing Range though a wide variety of shrublands and dry woodlands - mallee, mulga, Casuarina and Acacia to name a few - right across to the west coast of W.A.

Chestnut-rumps spend much of their time on or near the ground but will also forage up into the canopy when necessary. For much of the year, they occur in small groups, up to ten or so, even mixing with other thornbills such as Inland or even Slaty-backed and sorting them out can be confusing, especially if they are up in the canopy. At breeding time, pairs separate out and occupy small breeding territories centred around the nest which is usually built in a small tree hollow. On occasion, more than two birds have been known to help feed the young. Chestnut-rumps are regarded as sedentary although in lean periods they may wander further afield in search of food