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ATHERTON SCRUBWREN
ENDEMIC Tropical North QLD
ATHERTON SCRUBWREN
Sericornis keri 13 cm
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The Atherton Scrubwren is endemic to the Wet Tropics of Australia. It lives in
upland areas, where it is the drab rainforest
counterpart of the widely distributed
White-browed Scrubwren.
·
When specimens of this bird were first examined, they were
thought to be atypical
Large-billed Scrubwrens. It was not given a
species status until it was
rediscovered in 1964. The easiest way of distinguishing between
the two birds is
by their behavioural traits.
·
It is largely terrestrial, both feeding and nesting on or near the ground. It
forages in
the rainforest litter and low vegetation
for insects and snails, usually in pairs or
small groups.
·
Its breeding season is from September to January.
·
Two other scrubwren species are commonly seen in the Wet Tropics,
the
Large-billed Scrubwren and the Yellow-throated Scrubwren. A third species, the
White-browed Scrubwren, is sometimes seen at the edge of the
rainforest.
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The juvenile Atherton Scrubwren resembles the juvenile
Fernwren.
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They are often seen in the rainforest at
Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge
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