Yellow-throated Scrubwren

1. Bright yellow throat with contrasting black (male) or brown (female) facial mask and pale eyebrow.

2. Dark olive-brown upperparts with russet rump and yellow-edged wing primaries.

3. Reddish eyes and black bill; juveniles are duller with fawn underparts.

Yellow-throated Scrubwrens feed mainly on insects and other small invertebrates found on the forest floor, such as worms, spiders, beetles, caterpillars, and ants, occasionally supplementing their diet with seeds and fruits. They forage by hopping and probing through leaf litter and low vegetation. Breeding occurs from August to March, with pairs building large, domed, pendulous nests suspended from vines, roots, or branches close to the ground or over water. These nests are constructed from roots, moss, vine tendrils, leaf skeletons, twigs, and are lined with feathers. Females typically lay two to four eggs per clutch, usually three, which are creamy with light brown speckles. Both male and female share nest building, incubation, and feeding duties. The incubation period lasts about 21 days.

Yellow-throated Scrubwrens inhabit the rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests of eastern Australia, from northeastern Queensland down through New South Wales. They prefer dense, moist gullies and rainforest understory, often near streams or watercourses. These birds are primarily ground foragers, frequently seen hopping through leaf litter, moss, and fallen branches. Early morning is the best time to observe their active foraging behaviour. They can sometimes be found near walking tracks in rainforests, where they may show curious behaviour toward humans.