Bird Guide

Australian Logrunner vs Chowchilla

Australian Logrunner (Orthonyx temminckii)

Australian Logrunner

Orthonyx temminckii

Small58 gForest

Logrunners as a group are characterised by their distinctive tail feathers where the rachis (or central shafts) of the tail feathers protrude and are stiffened. The broad tail of the bird is less than four inches (10 cm) in length and the strong protruding rachis at the ends of the tail feathers are almost void of the usual barbs, giving the feather the appearance of spines. This appearance gives rise to some of the common names for the bird such as spine-tail or spine-tailed logrunner. There appears to be some debate about the number of tail feathers possessed by the Australian logrunner.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Australian Logrunner
Recorded by Rob Nicholson · Brindle Creek Picnic Area, Border Ranges, NSW, Australia, Australia · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Damien O'Donnell · CC BY 4.0
Chowchilla (Orthonyx spaldingii)

Chowchilla

Orthonyx spaldingii

Medium150 gForest

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Stuart · CC0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Australian Logrunner and Chowchilla.