Photo: Courtesy of Michael Todd ENDEMIC Tropical North QLD
ATHERTON SCRUBWREN: Sericornis keri 13 cm
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 a typical Large-billed Scrubwren. 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 behavioral 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.
The juvenile Atherton Scrubwren resembles the juvenile Fernwren.
