Large-billed Scrubwren

About the Large-billed Scrubwren

The large-billed scrubwren (Sericornis magnirostra) is a passerine bird in the family Acanthizidae, endemic to eastern Australia. It is found in denser undergrowth in temperate forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

The large-billed scrubwren was described by ornithologist John Gould in 1838. The generic name Sericornis derives from Ancient Greek serikos 'silk' and ornis 'bird'. The specific epithet derives from Latin magnus 'great' and rostrum 'bill'.

It was placed in the family Pardalotidae in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, but this has met with opposition and indeed is now known to be wrong. Instead, the large-billed scrubwren belongs to the independent family Acanthizidae.

There are three recognised subspecies: Sericornis magnirostra magnirostra, S. m. viridior, and S. m. howei. The large-billed scrubwren is 11.5 to 13 cm (4.5 to 5.1 in) in length and weighs 10 g (0.35 oz). It has a dark reddish-brown eye in a pale buff face, with a longish, black bill inclined slightly upwards. The upperparts are light grey-brown with an olive tint, the throat is a pale buffy-white, the belly greyish... Wikipedia →