Australian Fernwren

Notes:

The Fernwren is endemic to the Wet Tropics region. It is restricted to upland rainforests, where it forages in moist leaf litter. It produces very high-pitched whistling and scolding notes, yet it is difficult to see unless the observer is patient. It feeds by turning over the forest litter, and has been seen following larger birds to forage in patches already disturbed by them (eg. Orange-footed Scrubfowl). It has a fine tweezer-like bill to use when probing for animal food. Its breeding season is from August to February. The solid domed nest is often placed against a tree trunk or small earth bank. It is made from numerous rootlets and mosses. Two eggs are usually laid here, and both parents raise the young.