White-browed Scrubwren

1. Bold white eyebrow contrasting with a dark facial mask

2. Pale iris that stands out against the face

3. Olive-brown upperparts with pale, rufous-tinged underparts

These birds are primarily insectivorous, searching for insects and other arthropods among leaf litter and low vegetation. They also eat seeds and occasionally small fruits. White-browed Scrubwrens are known for their cooperative breeding: while only the female builds the domed nest and incubates the eggs, both parentsand sometimes additional helpersfeed the chicks. The typical clutch consists of two or three eggs, laid at two-day intervals. The female alone incubates for 17–22 days, and after hatching, both parents and helpers feed the young. Chicks remain dependent on adults for up to seven weeks after fledging.

White-browed Scrubwrens are common across eastern and southern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and parts of Western Australia. They inhabit dense undergrowth in a variety of habitats such as rainforests, open forests, woodlands, coastal heaths, and even urban parks and gardens. They are most often seen foraging in pairs or small groups, close to the ground or in low shrubs.