Pygmy Heleia
Heleia squamifrons
Tiny hyperactive ping-pong ball of a bird. Unlike any other Bornean white-eye in appearance; note gray-brown upperparts, yellow-washed underparts, pale gray face, pale eyes, and white-speckled “scaly” forehead. Inhabits submontane and hill forests and forest edge, particularly in scrubby growth and stunted vegetation. Forages at middle and upper levels of forest in flocks, often mixed in with other species. Calls are high and squeaky. Also known as Bornean Ibon.
Identification
The pygmy heleia (Heleia squamifrons), also known as the Bornean ibon, pygmy ibon, and pygmy white-eye, is a species of bird in the white-eye family Zosteropidae.
Taxonomy
Genus: Heleia; Family: Zosteropidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Heleia squamifrons
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1892)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Heleia
Range and habitat
It is endemic to the hill forest and lower montane forest of northern Borneo.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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