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
Pale-breasted Illadopsis
Illadopsis rufipennis
A chunky, mid-sized, remarkably drab babbler with a white throat and brownish breast. Found in the understory of rainforest at low and middle elevations, usually in small groups. Shy and skulking; rarely seen unless searched for. Very similar to Brown Illadopsis, but slightly different vocally, with higher and more inflected whistles. Also slightly paler below and more richly colored above, with a cleaner white throat. Most often detected by voice. The highly variable song consists of single-note pure whistles or short whistled phrases separated by pauses, often in a three-note ascending series; listen for a haunting clear monotone whistle. Also gives scolding calls, sometimes accompanying the whistled song.
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus regina
Tiny green and yellow dove. Yellow-orange belly and vent (note Superb Fruit-Dove has a white belly and vent). Pink forehead, gray face and neck, and often a pinkish area on upper belly. Found in rainforests, but also in coastal vine forest. This species calls frequently, and typically with a long series of gradually accelerating notes.
Rosy Starling
Pastor roseus
Adult is unique, a vision in glossy black and pale pink. Juvenile is brown with an orange bill. Breeds in colonies on steppes and winters in open and wooded habitats. Gathers in huge numbers to roost, often mixing with other species at roost sites. Flocking birds keep up a constant cacophony of dry chattering calls.
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