Friday 30 May 2014

Tasmanian scrubwren

Sericornis humilis

Photo by J.J. Harrison (Wikipedia)

Common name:
Tasmanian scrubwren (en); acantiza-do-mato-castanha (pt); séricorne brun (fr); sedosito pardo (es); Tasmansericornis (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Acanthizidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Tasmania, King Island and other offshore islands in the Tasmanian region.

Size:
These birds are 12-15 cm long and weigh about 18 g.

Habitat:
The Tasmanian scrubwren is mostly found in dense temperate forests and scrublands, and using marshes, bogs and urban areas.

Diet:
They usually forage in pairs, mainly taking insects but also some seeds. 

Breeding:
Tasmanian scrubwrens breed in August-December. The nest is a domed or spherical structure with a side entrance, made of bark, grass and moss, and lined with feathers and fur. The female lays 2-4 pale purple eggs with brown spots which are incubated for 17 days. The chicks fledge about 2 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as quite widespread and fairy common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to large-scale commercial forestry and perhaps industrial scale pesticide use.

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