Pilotbird

Overview

The pilotbird is a large, plump passerine bird endemic to south-eastern Australia, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is the sole member of the genus Pycnoptilus and belongs to the family Acanthizidae.

Identification

• A large, plump acanthizid measuring around 18 cm in length, with chocolate-brown upperparts and reddish-brown underparts featuring scalloping on the chest and dull white speckling on the belly.
• Possesses a short, finely pointed bill and strong legs, with a broad, semi-erect tail that is flicked up and down when feeding.
• The male produces a far-carrying call described as "piercing and sweet," consisting of a sequence of wit-wit-weet-WHEER, to which the female may respond with a softer wit-a-wit-ee.

Habitat

Found in temperate wet sclerophyll forests and occasionally temperate rainforest, the pilotbird requires dense undergrowth with abundant debris. Its range extends from Wollemi and Blue Mountains National Parks in New South Wales to the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne in Victoria.

Diet

The pilotbird is highly terrestrial, feeding on or near the ground. It is known to follow lyrebirds to take prey that they flush, although this habit is well known but seldom observed.

Did you know?

The species is named after its supposed habit of following lyrebirds to catch prey they flush, or its call guiding bushmen seeking for lyrebirds, a behaviour that is well known but rarely observed.