Until 2002, it was widely considered to be conspecific with the New Guinea logrunner, but studies showed the two differ significantly, both genetically and vocally.

[11] Birds such as creepers, woodpeckers, swifts and penguins are also known to use their modified tail feathers as braces and supports.

[12] The logrunner's head and back are a reddish-brown colour; the wings are mainly black; and the tail is dark brown.

[14] The Australian logrunner is found in South Eastern Australia from the Illawarra district in NSW to the Bunya Mountains in Queensland.

[15] Its preferred habitat is characterised by the leafy floor of rainforests, rich with scattered logs, forest debris, ferns, vines and saplings.

[16] The most characteristic behaviour of the logrunner is its foraging technique that involves the bird propping against its spiny tail and then scrapping or throwing leaf debris aside with its feet.

Once the larger debris is removed, logrunners then use their tail as a brace and scratch the exposed soil looking for food.

[14] Logrunners live in pairs or in small groups and defend their territory aggressively from neighbouring birds.

It is formed with sticks, ferns, leaves and natural fibres and is generally covered with green moss.