Biak Hooded Pitta
Pitta rosenbergii
Beautiful leaf-green pitta of Biak Island, off northwestern New Guinea. Like the other “Hooded-type” pittas with which it was formerly grouped, this species has a black head, powder-blue shoulder patch, and red on the lower belly and undertail. In addition, this species has a broad deep blue border to the red belly patch, much like the Eastern Hooded Pittas on neighboring Numfor Island. Song is a rather harsh, rolling “weer, weer.”
Identification
The Biak hooded pitta (Pitta rosenbergii) is a passerine bird in the pitta family Pittidae that is endemic to the island of Biak, northwest of New Guinea. It is a green bird with a black head and chestnut crown. It forages on the ground for insects and their larvae, and also eats berries. It breeds between February and August, the pair being strongly territorial and building their nest on the ground. Incubation and care of the fledglings is done by both parents. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the hooded pitta, now renamed to the western hooded pitta.
Taxonomy
The Biak hooded pitta was formally described in 1871 by the German naturalist Hermann Schlegel from a specimen that had been collected by Hermann von Rosenberg. Schlegel coined the binomial name Pitta rosenbergii where the specific epithet was chosen to honour the collector. The Biak hooded pitta was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the hooded pitta (Pitta sordida) (renamed as the western hooded pitta). It is now considered as a separate species based on the genetic, morphological and vocal differences. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Pitta rosenbergii
- Authority
- Schlegel, 1871
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pittidae
- Genus
- Pitta
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Philippine Fairy-bluebird
Irena cyanogastra
A medium-sized to fairly large bird of tall forest from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains. Black on the face, chest, and edge to the wing, with a blackish-blue body and pale blue crown stripe, wing patch, rump, and outer tail. Note the bright red eye. Female is similar to male but slightly duller. Somewhat similar to Asian Glassy Starling or Blackish Cuckooshrike, but Philippine Fairy Bluebird has distinctive blue patterning on the upperparts. Song consists of medium-pitched whistled phrases, including distinctive “whip!” notes.
Black Catbird
Melanoptila glabrirostris
Slender-billed, glossy black bird of humid forest, woodland, thickets, and overgrown clearings; shape and habits like Gray Catbird of North America. Common on Cozumel Island, but generally uncommon to rare on the Yucatan mainland. Often sings from a prominent perch, but otherwise rather retiring and easily overlooked, mainly at low levels in bushes; also hops on the ground, flipping and fanning its tail. Told from other black songbirds in its geographic range by habits and slender bill.
Pink-legged Graveteiro
Acrobatornis fonsecai
Predominantly gray species with a long tail and pink legs. Note the darker gray crown and paler eyebrow. Found principally in shaded cacao plantations or adjacent remnant forests across a very restricted range. Forages acrobatically in the canopy and subcanopy and often accompanies mixed-species flocks. Builds a large stick nest.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.