Noisy Scrubbird

Overview

The noisy scrubbird (Atrichornis clamosus) is an endangered species of bird in the family Atrichornithidae, closely related to the lyrebird. It is endemic to the coastal heaths of south-western Australia, east of Albany, and is one of the country's rarest birds.

Identification

• 19–23 cm in length with a dark brown back, rust-like wings, and a speckled chestnut breast.
• Features a grey-brown or pink bill and brown or silver legs and feet.
• Males are distinguished by a black triangle on the throat.

Habitat

The species inhabits extremely dense understory and vegetative cover, specifically requiring areas that have been recovering from environmental damage for approximately 10 years, though colonisation can occur as soon as two years after disturbance. It has never been recorded in an area that has not been burnt or damaged in the previous 50 years, and its known range is limited to approximately 45 km² combined between the Two Peoples Bay and Bald Island populations.

Diet

The noisy scrubbird feeds on small invertebrates, such as ants and beetles, foraging within the extremely dense leaf litter and vegetative cover that characterises its habitat.

Did you know?

The bird was presumed extinct after an unsuccessful search in 1920, but a population was rediscovered at Two Peoples Bay in the 1960s. Despite 50 years of conservation and management, its populations continue to decline, partly due to threats like the soil fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi and lightning-induced fires.