Atherton Scrubwren
Sericornis keri
Small mostly terrestrial bird of rainforest and wet eucalypt woodlands in a very small range in the Atherton Tabelands of far northern Queensland. Brownish above, grayish yellow below, with long pointed bill, long pinkish legs, and off-white eyering. Forages for insects mostly on the ground or in the lower canopy. Compare Large-billed Scrubwren, which is paler, less likely to feed on the ground, slightly smaller, and has a more twittering call. Song is variable, often including repeated two-note elements.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Sericornis keri
- Authority
- Mathews, 1920
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acanthizidae
- Genus
- Sericornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Streaked Bulbul
Ixos malaccensis
Large olive-brown bulbul with a long, powerful, chisel-like bill. Pale gray below, with white streaking on the throat and breast. Similarly-shaped Buff-vented Bulbul is browner, with a yellow vent and no streaking on the breast. Inhabits lowland and foothill forests, where it forages up in the middle and upper levels, often with other species. Song is an assemblage of squeaky, upslurred notes.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Aimophila ruficeps
Fairly large grayish-brown sparrow of scrubby, arid hillsides. Look for rufous crown, rufous stripe behind eye, thin white eyering, and white mustache bordered by black. Otherwise plain grayish below with no streaks. Found on or near the ground, especially on dry slopes with scattered shrubs. Often heard before it is seen, so listen for its song, a descending jumble of husky notes. Also gives a nasal call, often in a rapid series. Compare with Oaxaca Sparrow in Mexico.
Slender-billed Babbler
Argya longirostris
Distinctive chestnut-brown babbler with a slightly decurved bill and a pale throat. Shy and difficult to see in its well-vegetated habitat; favors wet grassy or reedy areas. Gathers in flocks outside of the breeding season. Song is a highly variable jumble of musical whistles and sometimes burry notes.
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