The Orthonychidae, or logrunner and chowchilla family, includes three species of birds: the Australian Logrunner (Orthonyx temminckii), Papuan Logrunner (Orthonyx novaeguineae), and Chowchilla (Orthonyx spaldingii). These birds live in forests of eastern Australia and New Guinea.

These birds spend much of their time on the ground. They search through leaves and other material on the forest floor for insects and other small invertebrates. Their strong legs and feet help them vigorously scratch through the leaf litter. Their tails have stiff, spine-like feather shafts that they use as props, helping support their bodies while they search for food.

Logrunners and chowchillas have sturdy, plump bodies, rounded heads, short, strong bills, and powerful legs. Their short, rounded wings are better suited to short flights through the forest than to long-distance flying. These birds are especially well adapted for moving and feeding on the forest floor.

The Australian Logrunner is patterned in shades of gray, brown and olive. Males have a white throat and white underparts, while females have a bright orange-rufous throat.

The larger Chowchilla is mostly dark brown to blackish above. Males have a white throat, breast, and belly, while females have a rusty-orange throat and upper breast.

These birds live in forests and rainforests and are often found alone, in pairs or in small family groups. They can be secretive, and the sound of their powerful feet kicking through the leaves may be easier to notice than the birds themselves.