- Orthonyx temminckii
AKA Southern Logrunner
Identification
The wings are, however, barred with white, and the chin, throat and breast are in the male pure white, but of a bright reddish-orange in the female. The remiges are very short, rounded and much incurved, showing a bird of weak flight. The rectrices are very broad, the shafts stiff, and towards the tip divested of barbs.
Distribution
The Logrunner, Orthonyx temminckii, is from south-eastern Australia to southern Queensland; it is very local in its distribution.
Taxonomy
Northern Logrunner, Orthonyx novaeguineae, found locally in New Guinea, was formerly considered a subspecies of this species. One of the things that (again) caused these species to be split was a DNA analysis: J. A. Norman, L. Christidis, L. Joseph, B. Slikas & D. Alpers (2002) Unravelling a biogeographical knot: origin of the 'leapfrog' distribution pattern of Australo-Papuan sooty owls (Strigiformes) and logrunners (Passeriformes). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B. Biological Sciences. 269, 2127-2133. (Full text available online).
Habitat
Leafy ground in Rainforests.
Behaviour
It is strictly terrestrial in its habits. It builds a domed nest on or near the ground. Insects and larvae are their chief food, and the males are described as performing dancing antics like those of the lyrebird.
