Plumage patterns are good indicators of taxonomic diversity, but not of phylogenetic affinities, in Australian grasswrens Amytornis (Aves: Maluridae)

► Molecular phylogeny resolved relationships within Amytornis grasswrens. ► Good concordance between DNA distances and plumage-based assessments of taxonomy. ► Poor concordance between DNA phylogeny and plumage patterns. ► High levels of short range endemism uncovered in grasswrens.