Chowchilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chowchilla |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Orthonyx
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| Species: |
spaldingii
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The chowchilla (Orthonyx spaldingii) is a special type of passerine bird. This means it's a perching bird, like many songbirds you might know. It belongs to the family Orthonychidae. You can only find this bird in Australia, which means it's endemic there.
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About the Chowchilla's Family
Scientists like Richard Schodde and Ian Mason studied the chowchilla in 1999. They found that there are two slightly different types, or subspecies, of chowchilla. These are called O. s. spaldingii and O. s. melasmenus. They live next to each other in Australia.
What the Chowchilla Looks Like
The chowchilla is a unique bird that looks a bit like a thrush. It spends most of its time on the ground. Both male and female chowchillas are mostly dark brown. They both have a white ring around their eyes. Their tail feathers have special spines that stick out past the feathery part.
Male chowchillas have a white throat, chest, and belly. Female chowchillas are different! They have a bright reddish-brown throat and upper chest. Their lower chest and belly are white.
Where Chowchillas Live
Chowchillas are only found in the northeastern part of Queensland, Australia. They live in both high-up and low-lying tropical rainforests. These forests are their natural home.
How Chowchillas Behave
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What Chowchillas Eat
Chowchillas mainly eat small creatures without backbones, like insects. Sometimes, they also eat very small animals with backbones.
Chowchilla Sounds
These birds are quite chatty! They make a lot of continuous chattering sounds. They also sing and have many other complex calls.
Chowchilla Nests and Eggs
Chowchillas build their nests on or very close to the ground. You might find their nests on ferns, tree stumps, or fallen logs. They build a large, dome-shaped nest using sticks. Female chowchillas usually lay one white egg, but sometimes they might lay two.
See also
In Spanish: Colaespina de Spalding para niños
