Short-tailed Paradigalla

Paradigalla brevicauda

A medium-sized, short-tailed bird of montane forest. All black plumage with iridescence on the head, fairly long bill and a distinctive, yellow wattle between the eye and the bill. Note the blue line below the base of the mouth. Feeds on fruit but also probes mossy branches for insects. Similar in size and shape to the male Loria’s Satinbird but Short-tailed Paradigalla has its unique yellow wattle. Voice, a long, mournful, monotone whistle.

Identification

The short-tailed paradigalla is medium-sized, approximately 23 cm long, stocky black plumaged with slender black bill and bright yellow and blue wattles in front of each eye. The sexes are almost similar in appearance: the female is smaller than the male with a duller plumage and smaller wattles. The short-tailed paradigalla is distinguished from its nearest relative, the long-tailed paradigalla, by its smaller size, shorter tail feathers and lack of red on the wattles.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Paradigalla brevicauda
Authority
Rothschild & Hartert, EJO, 1911
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paradisaeidae
Genus
Paradigalla

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

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Eyebrowed Wren-Babbler

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