Chestnut Quail-thrush

The chestnut quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum) is a native Australian bird of the family Cinclosomatidae. These scrub birds are endemic to Australia and found in all states - barring Tasmania. They are relatively uncommon and are isolated to the semi-arid and arid fringes of the Australian interior. Similar in physical appearance to other species such as Cinclosoma cinnamomeum and C.c. punctatum, the chestnut quail-thrush is a medium-sized bird that resides in the lower canopy and scrub of arid and semi-arid vegetation. The male is characterised by a black breast, grey flank, and chestnut to grey-brown upper parts with white eyebrow and throat-patch. The female differs with a grey throat and breast, rufous and light brown upper parts, and a yellow-buff eyebrow and mark on throat, presenting an overall duller hue than the male. Both sexes have a white belly. The difference in plumage and body size is attributed to the sexual dimorphism common amongst the Cinclosoma genus. They are known to collect in pairs and small family groups, using scrub and bushes for concealment and song perches, and running swiftly in rocketing bursts when disturbed or alarmed. The chestnut quail-thrush can be distinguished by its high-pitched call, heard as a wheit-wheit-wheit or an insect-like see-see see.