The Australian logrunner is species of Passeriform in the family Orthonychidae. It is endemic to eastern part of the country.
The Australian logrunner belongs to the Orthonychidae family of passeriforms. The species is endemic to the eastern part of the country. When searching for food, the bird uses unique foraging techniques and adaptations. Logrunners (Orthonyx temminckii) and Chowchillas (Orthonyx spaldingii) have a tail consisting of 10, not 12 feathers, with spine-like tips at the tips of the shafts.
As they scratch on the forest floor for food, these birds press against the ground as a prop. In upland subtropical rainforests, the birds are typically sedentary and communal, occupying small territories with established pairs and sometimes breeding together as families.
The Australian logrunner is a species of Passeriform in the family Orthonychidae. It is endemic to the eastern part of the country. Photo credit: Wikipedia
In forest areas, they remain on fern-covered banks and log-strewn areas but extend into bushy cover and along watercourses in agricultural areas where introduced lantana and blackberry tangles thrive. The birds rarely fly and are mostly found on the forest floor, where their colors blend well with the gloomy browns. When disturbed, they usually burst into voluble weet weet weet calls.
On the forest floor, Australian Logrunner leaves behind characteristically cleared patches approximately 150–160 mm in diameter. Birds form the patches by kicking strongly through the litter with one foot, then the other, or by kicking each foot repeatedly.
Smaller items are sifted by scratching them from front to back. Among their food sources are insects, especially their larvae, crustaceans, snails, and slugs. It defends its territory aggressively from neighbors and lives in pairs or small groups. Monogamy and permanent bonds are believed to be formed between them.
The Australian Logrunner nests in winter like another ground-feeding bird, the Superb Lyrebird. Nest-building is performed by females. The eggs are incubated by females and reared by the young. There are several names for this bird, including Spine-tailed Log-runner, Scrub-quail, Southern Log-runner, and Spine-tailed Chowchilla.
The Logrunner builds a dome-shaped nest with a side entrance measuring 220-230 mm in diameter. Photo credit: Stanley Tang
Approximately 180–200 mm is the length of the logrunner. The male bird has a rufous-brown crown and a mid-grey face. Besides the rump, the upper parts are mottled russet-olive and black. Dusky gray wings with two broad black bars The tail is plain and dusky.
A black line runs along the throat and breast; the belly is white; the flanks are grey-russet. The eyes are dark brown, and the bill and feet are black. Female throats and upper breasts are cinnamon-russet. It is mottled brown when it is immature.
The Australian logrunner calls with a piercing weet repeated excitedly. Its song is loud, staccato, resonant, Kekweek-kweek-kweek-kweek, repeated quickly but erratically, and varied. It is possible, however, for several birds to call at the same time. Especially in the mornings, it is very noisy. Songs and calls are believed to serve either a territorial or sexual purpose.
Breeding and nesting occur primarily from April to August, sometimes later. In order to build a nest, a thick stick platform is laid down, then sticks are built up around the sides and back, and finally curved. A thick roof of moss and leaves is added, sloping down to cover the entrance and partly conceal it.
Several short, dry branches, sticks, and leaves are placed on top. The Logrunner builds a dome-shaped nest with a side entrance measuring 220-230 mm in diameter. Nests are often placed on the ground, under ferns, or in other overhanging foliage for shelter. Nests are made from twigs, lined with fibrous plant material, and hooded with moss at the entrance, where the platform of sticks forms the approach.
The bird lays two eggs, which are pure white in color. The eggs are oval in shape and measure 28 x 22 millimeters. The female constructs the nest, and she is solely responsible for incubating the eggs for 21–25 days. Females are also responsible for rearing their young until they leave the nest, which takes 17 to 19 days. Apparently, both males and females share the responsibility of feeding the young after they leave the nest.
Located in upland rainforests from Queensland’s Bunya Mountains to New South Wales Illawarra District and Cannbewarra Mountains, logrunner is found in upland rainforests. It is also found in the montane west and far eastern regions of Papua New Guinea. Australia has only one endemic race out of four. Studies have shown that it differs significantly, genetically and vocally, from the New Guinea logrunner, which was widely considered to be conspecific until 2002.
