Atherton Scrubwren (1/10)

PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae

Sericornis keri  

The Atherton Scrubwren has been recognised as a distinct species (and not a race of Large-billed Scrubwren) since 1968.

A few skins were first collected in 1889. An English ornithologist came into possession of one and designated it a distinct species about 1930 but he was on his own until more research was carried out nearly forty years later.

Although similar in appearance, Large-billed Scrubwrens and Atherton Scrubwrens have subtle differences, forage at different levels of the rainforest, and build different nests.

This bird was foraging on the ground amongst fallen tree trunks on Mount Lewis. It showed little concern for my presence so I was able to anticipate its direction of foraging and photograph it from just a couple of metres away as it passed my position.