There are only two species of birds in the Atrichornithidae family: the Rufous Scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens) and the Noisy Scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus). Both are found only in Australia and are very rare.

Scrub-birds are small, brown birds that spend most of their time on the ground in thick vegetation. They have long legs, short, rounded wings, and pointed bills. Although they can fly, they usually prefer to run through the undergrowth.

Scrub-birds eat insects, spiders, worms, snails, centipedes, and other small invertebrates. They spend most of their time on the forest floor, where they search for food by running through dense vegetation and scratching through leaf litter with their feet and pointed bills. Although they can fly, scrub-birds usually prefer to run as they search for food.

Male scrub-birds are famous for their loud, powerful songs, which can be heard over long distances.

The Noisy Scrub-bird is about 8 inches (20.0 cm) long. It has brown upperparts, yellowish underparts, a white throat, and a black, triangular patch on its chest.

The Noisy Scrub-bird was once thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1961. Today, it is listed as Endangered and survives only in a few coastal heath and scrub habitats in southwestern Australia.

The Rufous Scrub-bird lives in the rainforests and nearby wet eucalyptus forests of northeastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland. It is also listed as Endangered because its habitat has been reduced and fragmented.