Bristlebirds

The bristlebird family, known as Dasyornithidae, consists of three species within the genus Dasyornis that are endemic to the southeastern and southwestern regions of Australia. Historically grouped with other bird families or considered a subfamily, they've been elevated to a full family by taxonomists Christidis & Boles in 2008. Bristlebirds have notable rictal bristles beside their beaks and inhabit dense undergrowth or scrub, often elusive and heard more often than seen. They range in size from 17 to 27 centimeters and have a diet mainly consisting of insects and seeds. They usually breed once a year and are considered monogamous, building large dome-shaped nests with side entrances. Unfortunately, two of these three species are listed as endangered due to habitat destruction from bushfires and land-clearing, with fire management being crucial in their conservation. The Western Bristlebird and the Eastern Bristlebird are both endangered, and while the Rufous Bristlebird is generally more common, one of its subspecies has likely gone extinct.