Orange-crowned Fairywren
Clytomyias insignis
A rare bird of montane forest thickets, typically found actively foraging at the overgrown edges of clearings. Small and long-tailed with a rufous crown, pale underparts, a dull brown back and more rufous-brown wing feathers and tail, which it cocks. Vaguely similar to a fantail but none has the combination of rufous crown and pale underparts. Voice, a series of high-pitch chips and “seeep!” notes.
Identification
Unlike many other species of fairywren, there is no sexual dimorphism as the male and female have the same plumage. The head is a rusty orange colour, the thighs and tail rufous, the back olive brown and the wings brown. The bill is relatively broad compared with other fairywrens and is black in colour. The eyes are dark brown, and the legs pinkish brown. The two subspecies are distinguishable by their underparts, which are cream-white in C. i. insignis and more ochre-coloured in C.i. oorti.
Taxonomy
First collected in the Arfak Mountains, the orange-crowned fairywren was described by Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1879. Molecular study indicates that it forms a clade with the fairywrens of the genus Malurus. Alternative names for the orange-crowned fairywren include orange-crowned wren, rufous fairywren, and rufous wren-warbler.<p>Two subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Clytomyias insignis
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1879
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Maluridae
- Genus
- Clytomyias
Range and habitat
The orange-crowned fairywren is found in thick undergrowth of montane rainforest at an altitude of 2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Kelp Gull
Larus dominicanus
Large dark-backed gull. Few similar species in much of its range. Usually coastal. Adults have black backs and wings with very little white in the flight feathers. The bill is very strong and robust and the legs are greenish-yellow. Juveniles have a dark brown back mottled with white, a black bill, and a dark band on the tail.
Scalloped Woodcreeper
Lepidocolaptes falcinellus
Medium-sized woodcreeper with a short, slightly decurved pinkish bill. Found in humid and montane forests, including Araucaria forests, where it typically forages in the canopy. The rufous back contrasts with the whitish throat and prominent eyebrow. Note the buff streaking on the darker brown head and the scaled belly. Similar to Scaled Woodcreeper, which has a duller crown and a less rufous tail.
Writhe-billed Hornbill
Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni
A large rare bird of lowland and foothill forest on Panay and Negros, although almost extinct on the latter. Mostly black with a cream-colored tail with black terminal band, an orange casque, and a wrinkled lower bill. Male has a rufous head, a yellow pouch, and yellow around the eye. Female has a black neck and head, a smaller bill and casque, and blue and yellow around the eye and on the chin. The only other hornbill in range is Visayan, but Writhe-billed is larger, with a pale bill. Voice includes a three-noted throaty chuckle.
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