Acanthize blanchâtre

Identification

The southern whiteface is a stocky thornbill-like bird with a brown dorsum, white belly, dark brown wings and a black tail with narrow white tip. A grey wash on the belly is sometimes present, along with a grey or rufous tinge to the flanks. This species displays the characteristic facial markings of the genus; a white band across the forehead, with a darker streak along the top edge. Adult birds are approximately 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length with a cream coloured eye, grey legs and a stubby dark grey bill of finch-like appearance. Adults are sexually monomorphic, while juveniles are distinguishable due to a lack of black rear band on the face. Call is a rapid, noisy twittering tchip-tchip-chiptchipt-chipt-chip or tzip-tzip-tziptzip and a harsher kzzurrk, kzzurrk-kzzurrk in alarm.<p>This species can be distinguished from other whiteface species by its somewhat duller appearance and lack of a breast band, which both the banded whiteface and chestnut-breasted whiteface possess.<p>The southern whiteface is a polytypic species with two recognised races:

Taxonomie

Originally classified as genus Xerophila, the whitefaces were later reclassified when it was noted that a group of molluscs had already been ascribed that name and thus, are now listed as genus Aphelocephala. There are three species within the Aphelocephala, including the southern whiteface, banded whiteface (A. nigricincta) and chestnut-breasted whiteface (A. pectoralis). The generic name derives from the Ancient Greek apheles 'simple' and kephale 'head'. The specific epithet derives from Ancient Greek leukos 'white' and opsis 'face'. Recent phylogenetic study has found whitefaces to be most closely related to the scrubtit (Acanthornis magnus), a monotypic Tasmanian species similar in appearance to Sericornis scrubwrens. The marked difference in the size and shape of the whiteface beak compared with that of the scrubtit has been attributed to an increased dietary intake of seeds, requiring a more robust bill.

Nom scientifique

Aphelocephala leucopsis

Autorité

(Gould, 1841)

Ordre

Passériformes

Famille

Acanthizidés

Genre

Aphelocephala

Répartition et habitat

The southern whiteface is endemic to Australia and typically inhabits arid open woodlands with a shrubby or grassy understory, as well as grass plains throughout much of the continents south. Not present in Tasmania or in coastal areas of the mainland, this species prefers Acacia woodlands, particularly those dominated by mulga and drought-resistant chenopod shrub species, including saltbush and bluebush. They are considered sedentary; however, atlas records indicate that individuals may move into wetter areas outside of their normal range during drought years.

Migration

Espèce sédentaire

Comportement

Mode de migration: Espèce sédentaire.

Conservation

Tendance de la population: en déclin.

Tendance de la population

en déclin