Bornean Bristlehead
Pityriasis gymnocephala
A “grail bird” of many birders visiting Borneo, this unique and unmistakable bird with an incandescent head looks like a cross between a small crow and a brightly-colored tube sock. Dark and heavy hooked bill gives it a top-heavy appearance. Often encountered in small flocks as it hops about in the canopy of primary dipterocarp and peatswamp forest in lowland and foothill areas. Vocal, frequently giving bursts of chattering notes, as well as nasal whines and whistles.
Identification
The Bornean bristlehead is a medium-sized bird, c. 25 cm (9.8 in) in length. It is mostly black, with bright red thighs, head, throat and neck, and grey ear-coverts. The featherless crown is deep yellow and covered in short, 3–4 mm long, bristle-like skin projections, giving it a bald appearance from afar. This gives the species its common name "bristlehead", genus name Pityriasis (from Greek, "having dandruff") and specific name gymnocephala (from Greek, "bald-headed"). Red flank patches are present in all females and some males, but can be covered by the wings when perched. There is a white wing-patch at the base of the primaries, visible in flight. It has a massive heavy black hooked bill and a short tail, giving it a chunky appearance.<p>Juveniles have entirely or mostly black thighs, a more orange-red head and neck, orange-red ear-coverts, some red mottling to the underparts, a few red feathers on the crown and undeveloped bristles.<p>It is a noisy species making a variety of unmusical calls, including distinctive high-pitched nasal whining notes interspersed with harsher notes, chattering noises, whistles, honks and chortles.
Taxonomy
The relationships of this species have been controversial. At times it has been placed in the Prionopidae, the Cracticidae, the Artamidae or the Corvidae. A more recent suggestion has been to include it in the Tephrodornithidae, a new family that includes Hemipus and Tephrodornis.
- Scientific name
- Pityriasis gymnocephala
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1836)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pityriasidae
- Genus
- Pityriasis
Range and habitat
The bristlehead is endemic to the island of Borneo where it is widespread, but generally sparse and patchy in occurrence, although it can be locally common. It mainly lives in lowlands, but also occurs in hilly areas up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above mean sea level. It can be found in the canopy of both primary and secondary forests, including peat swamp forests, mixed dipterocarp forests and mangrove forests.
- Migration
- Nomadic
Behavior
Migration pattern: Nomadic.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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A medium-sized bird of montane forest edge and clearings. Distinctive plumage. Mainly black, bright red above and below the base of the tail; and white marks on the cheek and back. Perches in tall trees, sallying for flying insects. Very similar to Lowland Peltops, but Mountain is found at higher elevations and has larger white cheeks. Voice, a high-pitch, downward trill, sounding rather like a cricket.
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Circus ranivorus
Large, brown, wetland harrier. Like all harriers, has long, slender wings and tail, and graceful, swooping flight. Found in and around marshes, swamps, and wet grasslands. Dark brown overall coloration separates it from all other harriers except female Eurasian Marsh-Harrier. African Marsh-Harrier can be identified by the presence of barring in the wings and tail, as well as by its darker head.
White-vented Whistler
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Warm brown above and white below with a faint cinnamon wash near the “shoulders” that give it a “vested” appearance. Can be similar to Negros Jungle-Flycatcher, which is generally found at higher altitudes. Look for a combination of longer, smaller-headed profile, and incomplete, diffuse breast band in present species. Found from the central Philippines south to islands off Borneo’s northeastern coast, where it inhabits lowland to submontane forests. Frequently moves with mixed flocks, often in lower levels of forest, but can be found up into the canopy. Gives high, thin, clean-sounding whistles as well as various warbled and whistled notes.
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