Wattled Brushturkey
Aepypodius arfakianus
A large, black ground bird of montane rainforests. Bare facial skin is pale-blue in the male and dull gray in the female. Red wattles on the head and chest are reduced in the female. Very shy and difficult to see. Roams the forest floor, scraping leaves to uncover fallen fruit, seeds and invertebrates. Similar to other brushturkeys but Wattled has a vertically-flattened tail with maroon rump and darker legs. Usually quiet but can give a sharp series of “ki! kekekekekeke” with the first note higher.
Identification
It is a comparatively large for megapodes with some noticeable sexual dimorphism. Adults are on average, 46cm long with a weight between 1.2 to 1.6 kg. Females have a dull grey bare facial skin, whereas the males are pale-blue. Moreover, the red wattles on the head and chest is enlarged in the male, whilst it is reduced for females. Overall, they are similar to other brushturkeys but the wattled brushturkey has a vertically-flattened tail with maroon rump and darker legs.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Aepypodius arfakianus
- Authority
- (Salvadori, 1877)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Megapodiidae
- Genus
- Aepypodius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
These birds have an incredibly wide range, making them resilient against human impacts, with a breeding range of approximately 685,000 km2.<p>They are very shy birds and locating them is difficult. These omnivorous birds often forage on the ground floor, scraping leaves to uncover fallen fruit, seeds and invertebrates.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Puerto Rican Woodpecker
Melanerpes portoricensis
A medium-sized woodpecker that frequently forms small flocks and can be found in most wooded habitats. No other species in its range sports its glossy dark blue back and rosy front. Drums softly, calls loudly, often belying its presence. Most commonly gives an emphatic “Pik!” which is often repeated, sometimes in a rapidly accelerating series.
Javan Flowerpecker
Dicaeum sanguinolentum
Small and stout forest-dweller that hops and buzzes about in the canopy like a large, active insect. Note male’s iridescent dark blue back, bright red chest, and black line extending down the white belly. As with many other flowerpeckers, the female is considerably duller, with a red rump patch being the only patch of bright color on her otherwise gray-brown plumage. Endemic to Java, where it inhabits montane and foothill forests. Calls include a short buzzy katydid-like series, high-pitched whistles, and dry clicks.
Plain Swift
Apus unicolor
Medium-sized swift, very similar to Common Swift, but is noticeably paler, especially against a dark background. Wings are narrower and very pointed and the tail is longer and more deeply forked than Common or Pallid Swifts. Pale throat patch not distinct and difficult to see. Flight is very fast, agile, and erratic. Gives a shrill, wheezy scream that “hiccups” at the end. Breeds primarily on Madeira and the Canary Islands, but may move to North Africa in winter.
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