Ward's Trogon
Harpactes wardi
A sluggish bird of mature tropical hill forests. A small head and prominent pale eye-ring give it a comically surprised appearance. Male has a wine-purple back, a scarlet belly, and a red plush patch on the forehead. Female is brownish with a yellow cap and underparts. Like other trogons, usually still and hard to detect on a low or mid-level perch, from which it sallies out to take insects, fruits, and seeds. Song is a series of bubbling hoots that accelerate and rise, then taper off gradually towards the end.
Identification
Ward's trogon measures 35 to 38 cm (14–15 in) in length and weighs 115–120 g (4.1–4.2 oz). The male have a pink-red breast, belly, undertail and forehead and the chest, back and wings and uppertail are dark slate with a maroon wash. The tip of the bill is deep red. The plumage of the female matches the male but the red is replaced with yellow and the dark parts are dark olive. The female's beak tip is yellow, and both sexes have a blue ring around the eye.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Harpactes wardi
- Authority
- (Kinnear, 1927)
- Order
- Trogoniformes
- Family
- Trogonidae
- Genus
- Harpactes
Range and habitat
Ward's trogon ranges from Bhutan and Arunachal in North Eastern India and into northern and eastern Myanmar and southern China (in western Yunnan). A disjunct population was reported to be common in Fan Si Pan in Vietnam in 1939, but there are no modern records of that species there. The species is generally montane, usually occurring between 1,500–3,200 m (4,900–10,500 ft) but occasionally coming down as low as 300 m (980 ft). There is some evidence that it moves to lower altitudes in winter.<p>The preferred habitat of Ward's trogon is subtropical hill forest dominated by Quercus and Castanopis and temperate broadleaf evergreen forest. Within these forests it is found in the understory, undergrowth and within bamboo stands.<p>The species is not a common one, although it can be locally common in some locations. It was treated as vulnerable by the IUCN in the 1990s, but secure populations have been found in Bhutan, so it is presently listed as near-threatened.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
Little is known about the behaviour of Ward's trogon. It feeds on insects, including moths, stick-insects, grasshoppers and bugs, as well as large seeds. Its nests have not been found or described, but birds in breeding condition have been found in March and April.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gorgeted Puffleg
Eriocnemis isabellae
Rare and endangered hummingbird found in the Andes of southwestern Colombia. Accessing its tiny known range is difficult, and only a few intrepid and lucky birders have seen one. Male looks quite dark, but has a glittering blue throat bordered on both sides by iridescent green as well as white leg puffs and a blue vent. Female is mostly green with a buffy tinge to the underparts, faint whisker marks, and smaller leg puffs; she is similar to female Glowing Puffleg, but typically has a fainter throat patch and less buff on the neck. Inhabits stunted cloud forest at high elevations.
Spot-breasted Wren
Pheugopedius maculipectus
Small, skulking wren of vine tangles and thickets in tropical lowlands. Like most wrens, heard far more often than seen. Rollicking, ‘happy,’ whistled song is a duet between male and female, keeping them in touch with each other. Rising call note sounds like a finger run along a comb. Plumage is rich rusty brown overall, with white eyebrow and dense black spotting on whitish breast.
Laughing Falcon
Herpetotheres cachinnans
Spectacular and distinctive raptor of tropical lowlands, often seen perched on prominent bare snags, from which it hunts for snakes. Occurs in forest and also in open country with scattered trees. Note the creamy head and underparts with a broad black "bandit mask." Does not soar, and flies with hurried, stiff wingbeats, when rusty patches show on the wings. Named for its far-carrying laughing calls.
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