Chowchilla Bird:

The Chowchilla belongs to the order of Passeriformes, to which more than half of the birds in the entire world belong. This bird can only survive in wet tropics and therefore is native only to Australia and is not even found in the neighboring Tasmania.  The bird is usually found in the upland rainforest regions of Australia. However, it does not generally inhabit some of the wettest areas of the region. The bird is also known as the Northern Longrunner. Apart from the chowchilla, there is only one other identified longrunner species.

The chowchilla dwells on the ground, unlike most other birds. It is unmistakable for its appearance. Both the males and the females of this species are dark brown in color. They have a unique white colored ring around their eyes. Their tail feather shaft is also visible as it extends beyond the feather vanes as the spin of the bird. The males are easily identifiable because of their white neck, belly and breast. The female’s throat and upper breast is of a bright rufous color and the lower portion of the breast as well as the belly is white in color.

The bird is in the habit of foraging for food, generally in the litter of leaves. It typically scratches the leaves in order to search for food and while doing this, it calls loudly. The calling of the chowchillas is different from region to region and it is believed that the chowchillas interact in different dialects with each other. Their vocalizations are rather complex but largely, the sounds emitted are that of chattering and singing.
The chowchilla is often also known as the Spalding’s Spinetail, which is what it was called before being named as chowchilla. This name was given to them owing to their long spines which often extend beyond the feathers, becoming visible.

Since the bird typically forages for food on the ground, the tail has adapted itself to support the chowchilla when it is trying to lean backwards, looking for food. The bird leans backwards and throws aside leaves in order to search for small animals and insects which it can consume. Sometimes, the bird gets so involved in this that it gets completely covered in litter, thus disappearing for short whiles.
The birds flock together and are extremely territorial. They usually move together in groups of 3-8. They move quickly and are usually related to each other.