Animalia Life
Sericornis frontalis
SUBFAMILY
Acanthizinae
TAXONOMY
Saxicola longirostris Quoy and Gaimard, 1830, Western Port,
Victoria, Australia. Up to 12 subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Buff-breasted scrubwren, cartwheel bird; French: Sйricorne
а sourcils blancs; German: Weissbrauen-Sericornis;
Spanish: Sericornis de Cejas Blancas.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
4.5 in (120 cm); 0.4–0.5 oz (11–15 g). A relatively small bird
with a distinctive white brow above the eyes, white chest, and
brown back.
DISTRIBUTION
Coastal southwestern, southern, and southeastern Australia, including
Kangaroo Island. Birds north and west of Adelaide
have been regarded as a separate species (S. maculatus—spotted
scrubwren). There is also physical variation on the east coast
with northern birds being brighter and as many as 12 subspecies
have been recognized.
HABITAT
Coastal heathlands and swamps, eucalypt forest with dense understory,
rainforests. Occasionally in parks, gardens, and exotic
pine plantations.
BEHAVIOR
An active ground and shrub dweller, which can sometimes be
hidden but at other times quite visible and confiding. Typically
in family groups, often with other scrubwrens and small birds.
Quite sweet and complex, but rather erratic song. Harsh,
scolding calls. Sedentary.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Mostly gleans from ground, including amongst leaf litter, and
from shrubs. May forage in association with scrub-turkeys
(Alectura lathami) who rake leaf litter into their mounds. Takes
insects and other invertebrates, and some seeds.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Long breeding season from July to February. Rather large
domed nest placed in low shrub or on the ground, and made of
grass, bark, roots, and feather lining. Typically three, occasionally
one, two or four eggs, which are pale blue, with brown
freckles. May lay up to six clutches in a season. Some pairs
have helpers. Incubation period is 17–22 days, fledging period
is 12–18 days. Young are dependent on parents for a further
six to seven weeks. Adults may live up to 17 years.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
Photo Gallery of - White-browed scrubwren
