The species Dasyornis broadbenti comprises three geographically separated subspecies, one of which is extinct:[3] The rufous bristlebird is a medium-sized bird (approximately 77g) that is predominantly brown with a long tail and short rounded wings.

The mantle, back and neck are dark brown with a faint reddish wash and a red-brown rump.

Well-known locations are near the Murray River mouth in South Australia, and Portland and Port Fairy in Victoria.

[7] They have also been located in heathlands, on coastal clifftops and in low-lying forested valleys in the Otway Ranges of south-western Victoria.

The first records were located at Salt Creek, which was one of the few lightly-burnt areas in this region that could have provided a safe shelter and supportive habitat.

[6] The bird can be detected running or flying short distances, darting in and out of the relatively dense understory in which it shelters and feeds.

This consists of coastal heathland and shrubland which has ecological diversity as well as a range of vegetation communities, ideal to the bird's preferred habitat.

In a study, there was an estimated 70 to 86 individual rufous bristlebirds within a 170ha survey area in Portland, south-western Victoria.

[8] Further studies have been conducted in Victoria and have found that the rufous bristlebird prefers areas at a relatively low altitude near coastal edges and drainage systems, as well as dense vertical vegetation structure.

This revealed that water areas can provide the rufous bristlebird with a denser vegetation within their habitat as well as moister soil conditions due to the potential lack of sunlight.

[7] D. b. broadbenti and D. b. caryochrous, the last two remaining subspecies of the rufous bristlebird, are separated by approximately 100 km in South Australia.

Usually, they search for food off the ground; however, they also forage amongst leaf litter or in short shrubs whilst collecting insects or grubs.

This is a threat towards the population of the bird as town development can cause destruction of habitat and disrupt the rufous bristlebird's natural composition.

[6] Clearing for infrastructure, homes and roads, as well as burning for fire protection and weed invasion can destroy appropriate habitats for the bird.

[6] Higher than normal temperatures since 1998 and decreased rainfall levels in south-eastern Australia have affected the overall bristlebird population.

Climate change has increased the risk of fires and other natural disasters, which as a result can drastically decrease the bird’s food sources and vegetation structures.

[7] In order for the rufous bristlebird to live in suitable conditions, further work is needed to discover size and spatial continuity within their areas of habitat.

[7] Recovery plans can aid in the support of the rufous bristlebird and their conservation status due to these various threats.

In order to prevent roadkill, the implementation of slow down signs through conversations with the local government and VicRoads.

[9] The western rufous bristlebird is listed as extinct under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

[6] Ways of improving the management of the rufous bristlebird population can include conducting research through ecological studies and gathering information on natality and mortality of the species.