The majority of Wirebirds today inhabit dry, middle altitude pastureland and the semi-desert environment of the Crown Wastes. Good Wirebird sites generally have shallow gradients and annual rainfall within the range 300-500mm. Beetles and caterpillars appear to be particularly important components of the species diet. Wirebirds will occasionally continue to feed after dark, at least on bright moonlit nights. Wirebirds appear to be monogamous.
Adults are territorial and all evidence suggests that they are highly sedentary.
In common with many other island endemic species world-wide, Wirebirds show a strong disinclination to fly. They are, however, fully proficient flyers when the necessity arises. Most flights tend to be of short duration, normally reaching a height of less than 50m. A large proportion of Wirebird flight activity appears to be associated with display, though some individuals regularly fly several kilometres to favoured drinking and bathing sites. The nest is a simple scrape in the soil with a thin lining of dry grass stems and rootlets.