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Orthonyx spaldingii

Chowchilla
Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.AVES.146838 1 - Orthonyx spaldingii Ramsay, 1868 - Turdidae - bird skin specimen.jpeg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Orthonychidae
Genus: Orthonyx
Species: O. spaldingii
Binomial name
Orthonyx spaldingii
Ramsay, 1868

The chowchilla (Orthonyx spaldingii) is a passerine bird in the family Orthonychidae. It is endemic to Australia.

In their 1999 study, Schodde and Mason recognise two adjoining subspecies, O. s. spaldingii and O. s. melasmenus with a zone of intergradation.

Unmistakable thrush-like, ground-dwelling, birds. Males and females largely dark brown with white eye-ring, tail-feather shafts extend as spines beyond feather-vanes; males with white throat, breast and belly; females with bright rufous throat and upper breast, white lower breast and belly.

The chowchilla is restricted to upland and lowland tropical rainforests of north-eastern Queensland.

Mainly invertebrates, but also small vertebrates.

Continuous chattering, singing and other complex vocalisations.

Nests on or near ground, often on ferns, stumps or logs. Builds a bulky, dome-shaped stick-nest with a clutch of one, possibly sometimes two, white eggs.


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