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Aethomyias
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Gray-green Scrubwren Aethomyias arfakianus Scientific name definitions

Phil Gregory
Version: 1.1 — Published October 24, 2023
Revision Notes

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Field Identification

9–10 cm. A small, nondescript scrubwren. Plumage is dark olive-green above, tail slightly browner and with dark subterminal bar on all rectrices except central pair; below, indistinctly streaked darker olive on mainly olive background, with greyish wash on throat and yellower centre of belly, sometimes indication of drab diffuse breastband; iris brown; bill brownish-black; legs light grey-brown. Sexes alike. Juvenile is similar to adult, but rather more brownish above and darker below.

Systematics History

Monotypic.

Subspecies

Monotypic.

Distribution

Vogelkop, Fakfak Mountains (1) and central cordillera of New Guinea, also mountains in north from Cyclops Mountains east to Adelbert Mountains and Huon Peninsula.

Habitat

Lower montane forest and adjacent tall secondary growth, sometimes extending to remnant patches by native gardens; mainly c. 1,200–1,400 m, locally from 670 m and up to 1,700 m. Occupies a rather narrow altitudinal band, which may be as little as 180 m. Overlaps with Pale-billed Scrubwren (Aethomyias spilodera) at lower elevations and with Buff-faced Scrubwren (Aethomyias perspicillatus) and Large Scrubwren (Sericornis nouhuysi) at the higher levels in east.

Movement

Sedentary.

Diet and Foraging

Poorly known; likely to be largely insectivorous. Usually seen singly, or in presumed pairs or small family groups of up to four individuals. Forages in lower to middle levels, to c. 8 m. Gleans actively from foliage, branches and twigs.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Poorly known. Short, dry “chip”, sometimes in series, and singly as preface to musical whistled, “whee choo whee choo whee choo” song, given every few seconds; also described is a high-pitched sweet song, beginning with feeble notes and ending as louder short fast trill. Dry scolding calls typical of genus also given, probably as contact and alarm.

Breeding

Juvenile in early October in east of range. No other information available.

Conservation Status

Conservation status on Birdlife LC Least Concern
Not globally threatened. Generally uncommon and local species occupying a relatively narrow altitudinal band of the lower montane forest. Not well known.
Distribution of the Gray-green Scrubwren - Range Map
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Distribution of the Gray-green Scrubwren

eBird and Macaulay Library

Recommended Citation

Gregory, P. (2023). Gray-green Scrubwren (Aethomyias arfakianus), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.gygscr1.01.1
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