Yellow-throated Scrubwren

The Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Neosericornis citreogularis, is a small, ground-dwelling passerine bird endemic to the eastern coastal regions of Australia. Exhibiting a distinctive yellow throat and eyebrow, the male of the species sports a black face, while the female's face is a softer brown. Their crown and upperparts are a dark to olive-brown, with underparts ranging from cream to a washed-out olive. The wings are dark brown, edged with a hint of yellow, and they possess relatively long legs of a pinkish or cream hue.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify this species, look for the male's black masked face and ear coverts, contrasted by the yellow throat and eyebrow. The female, though similar, has a brownish face. The bird's iris is reddish, and the wing primaries are yellow. Their calls are a distinctive loud, harsh chatter, and they have a lively song that may be triggered by sudden loud noises.

Habitat

The Yellow-throated Scrubwren is typically found in wet forest gullies and rainforest environments, often in proximity to streams. In the Sydney Basin, they are known to inhabit the Illawarra escarpment and other moist locales within the Dharug and Royal National Parks.

Distribution

This species has a disjunct distribution along the coastal areas of north Queensland from Cooktown to Townsville, and from Hervey Bay in southern coastal Queensland down through to southeastern New South Wales.

Behaviour

The Yellow-throated Scrubwren is an insectivorous bird that forages at ground level. This differentiates it from the related Large-billed Scrubwren, which occupies the same habitat but tends to forage higher in the leaf layer and on branches.

Breeding

The breeding season for the Yellow-throated Scrubwren can span from June to March, with the possibility of two or more broods per season. Their nests are large, pear-shaped structures, suspended above the ground or water from vines or branches. These nests, often resembling flood debris, are constructed from a variety of materials including dried grasses, leaves, sticks, palm fiber, bark, and are lined with ferns and feathers. The clutch typically consists of two to three tapered oval eggs, which vary in color from brownish-purple to pale brownish-white with darker spots or blotches.

Similar Species

There are no similar species listed for the Yellow-throated Scrubwren, as it is the sole species in its genus, Neosericornis.

Diet and Feeding

The Yellow-throated Scrubwren primarily feeds on insects, which it hunts for on the forest floor.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Yellow-throated Scrubwren as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face any significant threats to its survival.