The
pilotbird (
Pycnoptilus floccosus) is a species of
bird in the
Acanthizidae family. It is
monotypic within the genus
Pycnoptilus. The exact taxonomic placement of this species is disputed, as it bears some resemblance to the
bristlebirds. The species is
endemic to south-east
New South Wales and eastern
Victoria in
Australia. Its natural
habitat is temperate wet sclerophyll
forests and occasionally temperate rainforest. There are two subspecies
Pycnoptilus floccosus floccosus lives in alpine areas of New South Wales such as the
Snowy Mountains and
Pycnoptilus floccosus sandfordi lives in lowland forest from
Newcastle to
Melbourne.