Noisy Scrub-bird

1. Male has a black throat patch bordered by white

2. Prefers dense ground cover and is rarely seen in the open

3. Loud, complex song often heard from thick undergrowth

Noisy Scrub-birds are almost flightless and spend most of their time foraging for insects and other invertebrates in deep leaf litter. Breeding occurs mainly from May to October, with egg-laying peaking in late June. Females build a dome-shaped nest close to the ground, often with a short runway leading to the entrance. Only one egg is laid per clutch, and the female alone incubates the egg for about 36–38 days. The chick fledges three to four weeks after hatching, and young birds may remain with the mother for several months. Males do not assist with incubation or chick-rearing.

This species is restricted to a small region along the south coast of Western Australia, particularly between Albany and Cheynes Beach, including Two Peoples Bay and Bald Island. Noisy Scrub-birds inhabit dense thickets, gullies, swamps, and areas with abundant leaf litter, usually in forests that have not burned for several years. Look for them in thick, tangled vegetation near water or rocky outcrops, but expect to hear their song rather than see the bird itself`.`