94:
45:
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31:
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297:(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.
781:
332:
340:
372:
The sideways sweeping action of the legs whilst foraging is unique to logrunners and is possible due to the distinctive structure of the logrunner's pelvis and hind legs. The pelvis is short and broad and the femur is stout with strongly developed projections that support the attachment of the strong
368:
The most characteristic behaviour of the logrunner is its foraging technique that involves the bird propping against its spiny tail and then scrapping or throwing leaf debris aside with its feet. Once the larger debris is removed, logrunners then use their tail as a brace and scratch the exposed soil
411:
The eggs are laid in a large, domed nest with a ramp. It is formed with sticks, ferns, leaves and natural fibres and is generally covered with green moss. The nests are lined with smaller material and leaves. They are generally constructed against a stone or log, or in a in tree buttress, but nests
407:
There appears to be some difference across references with respect to when the logrunner breeds. For example, some state that the bird breeds between April and
October, others state that this occurs usually between May and August, whilst others state that breeding can occur at any time but usually
327:
The logrunner's head and back are a reddish-brown colour; the wings are mainly black; and the tail is dark brown. The wing-coverts are tipped with grey and the eyebrow and ear-coverts grey. The throat, breast and abdomen feathers are white. In the female, the throat is an orange-rufous colour. The
300:
There appears to be some debate about the number of tail feathers possessed by the
Australian logrunner. For example, some references state that the logrunner only has 10 tail feathers whilst other references describe the bird as having 12 tail feathers. Most birds are described as having 12 tail
442:
Nest construction is performed by the female and she is solely responsible for incubating the eggs which takes between 20–25 days. The female is also responsible for rearing the young until they leave the nest which takes between 16–19 days. Both male and female appear to share responsibility for
683:
NGUYEN, J. M. T., BOLES, W. E., WORTHY, T. H., HAND, S. J. and ARCHER, M. 2014. New specimens of the logrunner
Orthonyx kaldowinyeri (Passeriformes: Orthonychidae) from the Oligo-Miocene of Australia. -Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 38:
558:
NGUYEN, J. M. T., BOLES, W. E., WORTHY, T. H., HAND, S. J. and ARCHER, M. 2014. New specimens of the logrunner
Orthonyx kaldowinyeri (Passeriformes: Orthonychidae) from the Oligo-Miocene of Australia. -Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 38:
395:
The female lays two eggs that are approximately 29 mm × 24 mm (1.1 in × 0.9 in) in size. The eggs are white in colour and have an oval shape. The incubation period for the eggs is between 20 and 25 days.
415:
Logrunners conceal their nests by placing leaves and sticks from the surrounding environment on top of the nest, as well as building a hood over the entrance to the nest with mosses also collected from nearby.
376:
Logrunners are described as noisy birds with performances of loud songs and calls, especially in the mornings. These songs and calls are believed to have either a territorial or sexual function.
412:
are also sometimes constructed in dense forest vines or ferns close to the ground. There appears to be some variety in the construction material and appearance of logrunner nests.
392:
Logrunners live in pairs or in small groups and defend their territory aggressively from neighbouring birds. They are believed to form monogamous and permanent bonds.
968:
1007:
764:
del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2006). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and
Chickadees. Lynx Editions.
1084:
360:
in
Queensland. Its preferred habitat is characterised by the leafy floor of rainforests, rich with scattered logs, forest debris, ferns, vines and saplings.
942:
234:
where it uses unique foraging techniques and adaptations to search for its food on the floors of temperate, subtropical, or tropical moist lowland
981:
693:
BOLES, W. E. 1993. A Logrunner
Orthonyx (Passeriformes, Orthonychidae) From the Miocene of Riversleigh, North-western Queensland. -Emu, 93: 44-49.
643:
DIAMOND, J. M. 1983. Melampitta gigantea: Possible
Relation between Feather Structure and Underground Roosting Habits. -The Condor, 85: 89–91.
435:
The moss roof is extended and slopes towards the front of the nest to form a hood or awning over the entrance (almost concealing the entrance)
769:
1094:
1104:
1109:
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Then using short strong sticks to build up around the sides and back of the platform and curved in over the top to form a roof
986:
249:
It is known by a number of common names including spine-tailed logrunner, spine-tail, logrunner, scrub quail and chowcilla.
571:
LUCAS, A. H. S. and DUDLEY LE SOUËF, W. H. 1911. The birds of
Australia, Melbourne, Melbourne : Whitcombe and Tombs.
369:
looking for food. This scratching leaves 'soup-plate' depressions in the debris that are about 150 mm in diameter.
1099:
621:
HIGGINS, P. J., AMBROSE, S. J., MARCHANT, S., DAVIES, S. J. J. F., PETER, J. M., STEELE, W. K. and COWLING, S. J. 1990.
844:
312:), also have spiny and stiffened tail feathers, but not to the same extent as the logrunner. Birds such as creepers,
1012:
384:
The logrunner diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates uncovered via foraging on the forest floor.
93:
835:
785:
880:
797:
188:
507:
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243:
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Finally, the inside of the nest is lined with dry vegetation such as bark, dry moss and fern fibre.
58:
893:
305:
304:
The logrunner is not unique in having atypical tail feather structures. Other birds, such as the
88:
751:
MCNAMARA, E. 1934. Observations of the Habits of the Spine-tailed Log-runner. -Emu, 34: 177-180.
506:
Boles, W. (2016). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.).
429:
The roof and walls are then covered with dry leaves and moss to a thickness of around 25 mm
973:
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916:
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Initially laying down a foundation platform of up to 50 mm of short and strong dry sticks
44:
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BERULDSEN, G. 2003. Australian birds their nests and eggs, Kenmore Hills, Qld., G. Beruldsen.
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THE ATLAS OF LIVING AUSTRALIA. (2015). Orthonyx temminckii : Australian
Logrunner.
432:
Concealment is further improved by placing dry leaves and twigs on top of the moss roof
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1061:
994:
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293:
Logrunners as a group are characterised by their distinctive tail feathers where the
262:
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155:
78:
73:
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908:
331:
246:, but studies showed the two differ significantly, both genetically and vocally.
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The process of building the nest has been observed in some detail and involves:
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are also known to use their modified tail feathers as braces and supports.
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in south-eastern Australia. Until 2002, it was widely considered to be
352:
The Australian logrunner is found in South Eastern Australia from the
960:
583:
HINDWOOD, K. A. 1933. The Spine-tailed Log-runner. -Emu, 33: 257–267.
536:
HINDWOOD, K. A. 1933. The Spine-tailed Log-runner. -Emu, 33: 257-267.
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715:, Sydney, N.S.W., Sydney, N.S.W. : HarperCollinsPublishers.
335:
A female logrunner collecting moss during construction of a nest
223:
135:
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Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds
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GILL, F. B. 2007. Ornithology, New York, W.H. Freeman.
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589:
579:
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567:
565:
804:
301:feathers but there are notable exceptions to this.
669:, Melbourne, Melbourne : Whitcombe and Tombs.
373:muscles needed to support its foraging technique.
665:LUCAS, A. H. S. and DUDLEY LE SOUËF, W. H. 1911.
597:Reader's Digest complete book of Australian birds
485:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22734309A95082068.en
549:, Melbourne, Melbourne : CSIRO PUBLISHING.
443:feeding the young after they leave the nest.
343:A male logrunner foraging on the forest floor
265:. It is one of only three species within the
8:
547:Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds
403:A pair of eggs from the Australian logrunner
792:
67:
43:
29:
20:
713:The field guide to the birds of Australia
483:
452:
545:CHRISTIDIS, L. and BOLES, W. E. 2008.
740:Australian birds their nests and eggs
625:, Melbourne, Oxford University Press.
328:male is also larger than the female.
7:
742:, Kenmore Hills, Qld., G. Beruldsen.
516:Handbook of Birds of the World Alive
388:Social organisation and reproduction
1085:IUCN Red List least concern species
471:IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
277:) from northern Queensland and the
14:
779:
711:PIZZEY, G. and KNIGHT, F. 2012.
92:
460:BirdLife International (2016).
257:The Australian logrunner is a
1:
269:genus; the other two are the
408:between July and December.
1126:
1095:Endemic birds of Australia
599:, Sydney, Reader's Digest.
595:READER'S DIGEST, S. 1986.
518:. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions
656:, New York, W.H. Freeman.
285:) from Papua New Guinea.
194:
187:
89:Scientific classification
87:
65:
56:
51:
42:
37:
28:
23:
1105:Birds of New South Wales
478:: e.T22734309A95082068.
348:Distribution and habitat
1110:Birds described in 1822
508:"Australian Logrunner (
356:district in NSW to the
667:The birds of Australia
404:
344:
336:
402:
342:
334:
283:Orthonyx novaeguineae
279:New Guinean logrunner
24:Australian logrunner
899:australian-logrunner
738:BERULDSEN, G. 2003.
244:New Guinea logrunner
214:Australian logrunner
1100:Birds of Queensland
1062:Orthonyx-temminckii
850:Orthonyx_temminckii
836:Orthonyx temminckii
806:Orthonyx temminckii
786:Orthonyx temminckii
510:Orthonyx temminckii
464:Orthonyx temminckii
310:Melampitta gigantea
275:Orthonyx spaldingii
219:Orthonyx temminckii
198:Orthonyx temminckii
59:Conservation status
894:BirdLife-Australia
652:GILL, F. B. 2007.
405:
345:
337:
306:greater melampitta
222:) is a species of
180:O. temminckii
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1034:Open Tree of Life
798:Taxon identifiers
770:978-84-96553-42-2
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956:iNaturalist
830:Wikispecies
654:Ornithology
491:12 November
314:woodpeckers
289:Description
259:Passeriform
253:Systematics
240:conspecific
230:to eastern
1079:Categories
1057:Xeno-canto
447:References
364:Behaviour
354:Illawarra
271:chowcilla
242:with the
232:Australia
174:Species:
112:Kingdom:
106:Eukaryota
1090:Orthonyx
1000:22734309
974:10859243
886:22734309
881:BirdLife
870:BioLib:
815:Wikidata
684:245–255.
559:245-255.
522:9 August
322:penguins
267:Orthonyx
226:that is
167:Orthonyx
152:Family:
126:Chordata
122:Phylum:
116:Animalia
102:Domain:
79:IUCN 3.1
1049:2337860
948:2490707
935:soulog1
909:soulog1
858:Avibase
821:Q901556
759:Sources
236:forests
228:endemic
162:Genus:
142:Order:
132:Class:
77: (
52:female
1046:uBio:
1039:191995
1013:151708
987:561723
768:
318:swifts
295:rachis
1026:75195
969:IRMNG
961:13456
930:eBird
922:74WPR
906:BOW:
873:30162
38:male
1008:NCBI
995:IUCN
982:ITIS
943:GBIF
766:ISBN
524:2016
493:2021
476:2016
380:Diet
320:and
224:bird
212:The
136:Aves
917:CoL
845:AFD
480:doi
1081::
1059::
1036::
1023::
1010::
997::
984::
971::
958::
945::
932::
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896::
883::
860::
847::
832::
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729:^
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514:.
512:)"
474:.
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526:.
495:.
482::
466:"
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308:(
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
