Rufous Scrub-bird
Atrichornis rufescens
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: Tue Jun 10 2014 14:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 1/21/2022
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: None
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derived from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Rufous Scrub-bird is a small, dark-coloured ground-dwelling bird which are found in high-rainfall areas. They require dense ground cover for protection with abundant leaf litter where they feed on small invertebrates including snails and insects.
Threats
The wet Eucalypt forest habitat which supports the majority of the populations is threatened by climate change and drier conditions which can create wildfires as well as impair reproductive capacity. It has been stated that they may also be susceptible to impacts from tourism and bird watching activities, especially when using playback to be able to locate the species. This is because it causes stress on the bird and territorial males waste energy chasing intruders that don't exist and luring them into openings and exposing them to predators.