Thornbills (Acanthizidae)

Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) - HBW 12, p. 603

French: Acanthize des montagnes German: Bergdornschnabel Spanish: Acantiza Montana

Taxonomy: Acanthiza katherina De Vis, 1905, Bellenden Ker Range, north-eastern Queensland, Australia.
Closely related to A. pusilla, and has been thought to form a superspecies with it. Has similarities with A. murina; suggestions that the two evolved from a common ancestor in New Guinea needs to be tested by genetic analysis. Monotypic.

Distribution: NE Australia: highlands of NE Queensland from Shipton’s Flat (near Cooktown) S to Paluma Range (near Townsville), extending inland to Atherton and Windsor Tablelands.