Chowchilla

Orthonyx spaldingii

Logrunner and Chowchilla · Passeriformes · Rare

The Chowchilla (Orthonyx spaldingii) is a rare logrunner and chowchilla found only in Australia, weighing about 150 g. The chowchilla is a passerine bird in the family Orthonychidae.

Least ConcernRareEndemicEats invertebratesforestdome nest150 g

About the Chowchilla

The chowchilla is a passerine bird in the family Orthonychidae. It is endemic to Australia.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

Unmistakable thrush-like, ground-dwelling, birds. Males and females largely dark brown with white eye-ring, tail-feather shafts extend as spines beyond feather-vanes; males with white throat, breast and belly; females with bright rufous throat and upper breast, white lower breast and belly. Voice: Continuous chattering, singing and other complex vocalisations.

Where it lives

When to see it

The Chowchilla can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Chowchilla?
Unmistakable thrush-like, ground-dwelling, birds. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Chowchilla?
The Chowchilla is a medium sized bird weighing about 150 g.
Where can you see a Chowchilla?
The Chowchilla is endemic to Australia, which is the only country where it occurs.
What birds look similar to a Chowchilla?
The Chowchilla is most easily confused with the Papuan Logrunner and the Australian Logrunner.
Is the Chowchilla endangered?
The Chowchilla is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Chowchilla for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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