Reunion Cuckooshrike
Lalage newtoni
Fairly small, slim cuckooshrike in which males and females are strikingly different. Males are mostly gray with black wings and tail. Females have brown upperparts and white underparts with fine dark barring. Both sexes have some white in the tail. The juvenile is a drastically different-looking brownish bird with strong wing bars and unmarked buff underparts. Rare and local in montane forest on the island of Reunion. Gives a variety of vocalizations, including a quick series of identical whistles, a slower series of more nasal notes, and rough scolding calls. Within its small range, most similar to Reunion Bulbul, but easily separated by many details, including the lack of an orange bill.
Identification
The Réunion cuckooshrike is a small arboreal bird. The plumage is dimorphic between the sexes. The male is grey coloured with a darker back and lighter underside; the face is darker and has the impression of a mask. The female is quite different, being dark brown above and striped underneath with a white eye-line. The call of the species is a clear whistled tui tui tui, from which is derived its local Réunion Creole/French name, tuit-tuit.
Taxonomy
Dutch naturalist François Pollen described the Réunion cuckooshrike in 1866.
- Scientific name
- Lalage newtoni
- Authority
- (Pollen, 1866)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Campephagidae
- Genus
- Lalage
Range and habitat
The species is restricted to the forest canopy, with a distribution limited to two small patches of Réunion's native subtropical mountain forests in the north of the island. Although it once ranged across Réunion in suitable habitat, its stronghold is the Plaine des Chicots – Plaine d'Affouches Important Bird Area near the island capital of Saint-Denis. Its diet is principally insects, though fruit are also taken.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The Réunion cuckooshrike is a critically endangered species and is currently the focus of conservation efforts. Its range has declined significantly and is currently an area of just 16 km2. The population of the species is currently stable but at the low number of around 50 adult birds, and is very vulnerable to localised disasters such as forest fires or habitat degradation. Introduced cats and rats prey on the species (particularly on young birds), and introduced herbivores such as deer degrade what little habitat remains.<p>Formerly classified as an endangered species by the IUCN, it was suspected to be rarer than generally assumed. Following the evaluation of its status, this was found to be correct, and it is consequently uplisted to critically endangered status in 2008 as it is in immediate danger of extinction, numbering so few birds that it might be entirely wiped out by a single catastrophic event such as a tropical cyclone.<p>Pilot studies have shown that controlling rat and cat numbers around nesting sites leads to increased survival of chicks, and the test programme of trapping and poisoning is going to be expanded. The species' survival plan also includes recommendations to translocate some individuals to suitable habitat in other parts of the island.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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A medium-sized black-and-white barbet. Note the boldly striped face and the black throat patch. Found in dry savanna and thornscrub. Similar to Spot-flanked Barbet, but lacks spots on the flanks and has a dark rather than yellow eye. Also similar to Red-fronted Barbet, but lacks a red front, and has a black throat. The common call is a series of several nasal “kya” notes.
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Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Pterocles orientalis
Subtly beautiful shuffling pigeonlike bird with a small head, striking black belly, and pale breast that contrasts with white underwings and black wingtips. Tail is relatively short. Males have a gray head and neck and an orangey throat while females are densely spotted all over. Both sexes have a broad creamy breast band bordered by an eye-catching black stripe. Call is a low, bubbling trill. Most often seen in the mornings when visiting water sources, sometimes in huge flocks, in deserts and semi-deserts with low vegetation.
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