Rufous
Scrub-bird Atrichornis rufescens
The Rufous Scrub-bird
deserves protection as a living fossil. It is one of Australia’s
primitive and relict species, which are similar to fossils from Gondwana,
and it is one of the true songbirds that evolved 97 to 65 million years
ago. The birds are listed among the World Heritage values of the Central
Eastern Rainforest Reserves (CERRA).
The Rufous Scrub
Bird is one of two birds of the genus Atrichornis. They are about
18 cm long and resemble a long-tailed wren. Rufous Scrub Bird populations
have always been fragmented, isolated and restricted to small patches
of thick undergrowth in the forests of Northern NSW and southern Queensland.
Scientists consider
upgrading the listing of the bird from vulnerable to endangered. The major
threats are believed to be habitat loss though inappropriate burning and
logging, and predation by feral predators like cats, dogs and foxes.
The Rufous Scrub
Bird is one of the most difficult birds to observe, and current data on
species range and population size are changing is essential for any future
recovery action.
The Foundation for
National Parks & Wildlife funded ongoing surveys and monitoring for
the species in NSW national parks, involving scientists as well as local
volunteers.
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