Northern Scrub-Robin
Drymodes superciliaris
Long-legged songbird found in rainforests of the Cape York Peninsula. Brown above, pale gray below, with black-and-white patterned wing and long tail, often flicked upward. Dramatic vertical black mark through the eye and cheek is diagnostic. Usually seen low down or on the ground; favors rainforest areas with plenty of leaf litter. Voice includes a variety of clear, thin whistled calls.
Identification
The northern scrub robin (Drymodes superciliaris) is a species of bird in the family Petroicidae. It is found in northern Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. It was found to be genetically distinct from the Papuan scrub robin, which were thought to be members of the same species. A putative subspecies D. s. colcloughi, known as the Roper River scrub robin, was described by Gregory Mathews in 1914 from specimens supposedly collected from the Northern Territory of Australia. However, there have been no further records from the area, the provenance of the specimens has been questioned, and the taxon is controversial.
Taxonomy
Genus: Drymodes; Family: Petroicidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Drymodes superciliaris
- Authority
- Gould, 1850
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Petroicidae
- Genus
- Drymodes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Himantopus mexicanus
Elegant shorebird with exceptionally long, bright pink legs. Distinctive black-and-white plumage and thin black bill. Male is glossier black above, female is slightly browner. Some variation across range: darker neck in Hawaii; whiter crown and more extensive white collar in southern South America. Widespread and fairly common throughout the Americas, although rare or absent from much of the eastern U.S. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, foraging in shallow ponds or marshes.
Little Shrikethrush (Waigeo)
Colluricincla megarhyncha affinis
A chunky bird with a notably thick pale bill. Dark brown on the upperparts and paler brown below, with some blurry breast streaking. Found in the understory and at middle levels of humid forest, including secondary forest. Rich, melodious, variable song consists of several penetrating whistles, generally in an up-and-down pattern. Calls include “chek” and “whit” notes. Somewhat similar to Rusty Pitohui, but smaller, lacking rufous underparts, with a dark rather than pale eye.
Pale-faced Bulbul
Pycnonotus leucops
Endemic to Borneo’s montane highlands, this brownish-olive bulbul, with its white face and large, dark eyes, is distinctive. Forages in fruiting trees, as well as low, scrubby growth lining the rocky peaks of the highest mountains. Listen for low, churred calls, given repeatedly or strung into slightly up-and-down song. Formerly treated as a subspecies of Flavescent Bulbul, which has a darker face and does not occur on Borneo.
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