Scrubbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scrubbird |
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| Noisy scrubbird (Atrichornis clamosus) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Atrichornithidae Stejneger, 1885 |
| Genus: | Atrichornis Stejneger, 1885 |
| Species | |
Scrubbirds are shy birds that live on the ground. They belong to a bird family called Atrichornithidae. There are only two types, or species, of scrubbirds. One is the rufous scrubbird, which is very rare and lives in a small area. The other is the noisy scrubbird. It was once thought to be extinct, meaning it had completely disappeared, until 1961! Both kinds of scrubbirds live only in Australia.
Scrubbirds are part of a very old bird family. They are closely related to lyrebirds, bowerbirds, and treecreepers. All these bird families first appeared in the Australia-New Guinea region.
The population of the noisy scrubbird was very small in 1962, with only about 40 to 45 birds. Thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers grew. By the mid-1980s, there were around 400 birds. They have been moved to new places to help them survive. Even with these efforts, they are still considered endangered. By 2002, the population had grown to about 1,200 birds.
What Do Scrubbirds Look Like?
Both scrubbird species are about the same size as a common starling. This means they are roughly 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long. They have dull colors like brown and black. These colors help them blend in with their surroundings. This makes them hard to spot.
They live in thick bushes and plants. The rufous scrubbird lives in temperate rainforests near the border of Queensland and New South Wales. The noisy scrubbird lives in heaths and bushy areas along the coast of Western Australia.
Scrubbirds are very good at moving quietly under cover. They run fast, like a mouse, to avoid being seen. They can fly, but their flight is weak and not very strong.
Sounds and Family Life
Male scrubbirds have very loud calls. Their calls sound ringing and metallic. It can be hard to tell where the sound is coming from. Their calls are so loud that you can hear them from far away in thick bushes. If you are close, the sound can be almost painful!
Female scrubbirds build a nest shaped like a dome. They build it close to the ground. The female bird is the only one who takes care of the young birds.
Types of Scrubbirds
There are two main species in the Atrichornithidae family.
| Image | Scientific Name | Common Name | Where They Live |
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| Atrichornis rufescens | Rufous scrubbird | North-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland | |
| Atrichornis clamosus | Noisy scrubbird | East of Albany in Western Australia |
