General Information

The Chowchilla is a passerine bird in the family Orthonychidae. Its loud calls vary from place to place so that many local dialects are identifiable. It is also known as the Northern Logrunner, and is one of only two logrunner species. In the past it was also referred to as Spalding's Spinetail.

Physical Description

This is a medium sized upland species that can be distinguished, in gender, by their different breast colors. The males have a white color and females have an orange-brown color, sometimes with a small white patch below. The quills of their tail feathers end in a short spine that actually helps the bird search for food. It has strong spiny shafts in the tail that allow the bird to prop itself against objects while forages.

Diet

This bird is an insect eater. It forages in family groups of approximately 3 to 8 Chowchillas, where it scratches vigorously through leaf litter to find food. It uses one foot to throw the litter aside in search for insects to eat. As it does this, the litter tends to actually camouflage the bird itself almost completely from sight.

Habitat

The Chowchilla is found locally in New Guinea. Except in the wettest regions, this bird lives upland usually about 1,450 feet, and is endemic to the wet tropics region.

Reproduction

The breeding season lasts from April to November. The male gets the female's attention by using dancing antics to show off. The female chooses her partner and lays one single egg in stick and nest debris on the forest floor after the wet season has finished.