“Little brown bird” is a phrase that people often use when describing something they’ve seen and can’t identify easily and this certainly applies to the Large-billed Scrubwren, a common understorey species in the Mission Beach rainforests. Curious, active and noisy little birds they move singly through the dense vegetation in search of their insect food.
The nest is a beautifully crafted dome with a side entrance which keeps the young dry and consists of no more than leaves and a few twigs skillfully woven together.
There are of course other “little brown birds” inhabiting the forests but this is one of the most common and certainly the most trusting of the group.
Good luck and good birding
Adrian Walker aka Professor Birdbrain
Adrian’s book – Birds of Mission Beach and environs is available through the Mission Beach Visitor Centre at $7.00 plus postage. To purchase call on 07 4068 7099 or email enquiry@missionbeachtourism.com
