Gray-headed Honeyeater
Ptilotula keartlandi
Medium-sized honeyeater found in woodlands and rocky areas across northern inland Australia. Olive brown above, yellow with diffuse gray streaking below, with gray crown and dark gray cheek patch bordered in yellow, and entirely black bill during breeding season. Base of lower mandible (and adjacent gape) yellow in nonbreeding season. Calls include a variety of chirruping rolling whistles, a loud single squawk, and short yelps.
分类信息
- 学名
- Ptilotula keartlandi
- 命名信息
- (North, 1895)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Meliphagidae
- 属
- Ptilotula
分布与栖息地
The grey-headed honeyeater has an extensive range covering much of central arid and semi-arid Australia. The extent of occurrence is estimated at 4,360,000 square kilometres.<p>The grey-headed honeyeater mostly frequents Eucalyptus scrub and woodlands in stony hill country and timbered gullies within ranges; however, it can be observed on sand-plains, when vegetation is flowering. The species has also been recorded in mulga and mallee woodlands, riverine areas dominated by River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), and occasionally in Mitchell grasslands.<p>The grey-headed honeyeater is thought to be largely sedentary; however, it undertakes nomadic movements in response to flowering events. While these movements are predominately local, some larger movements have been recorded. For example, one individual was recorded in East Point, Darwin, 270 kilometres north of its previously documented range, following major Eucalyptus flowering events.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The grey-headed honeyeater gleans and probes for invertebrates on the foliage and branches of vegetation, but will also take insects on the wing. Like many honeyeaters, the species will also consume nectar from flowering trees, particularly hakeas, eucalypts, grevilleas, mallee, and it has been known to take occasional fruit.<p>The grey-headed honeyeater is usually seen individually or in pairs; however, small parties of 5 to 20 have been recorded congregating around a food source. The species is active, vocal, inquisitive, and pugnacious. Intraspecific and interspecific aggression and agonistic behaviour, including territorial calls, bill-snapping, chasing, and fighting have been recorded during feeding and possibly breeding.<p>The breeding ecology of the grey-headed honeyeater is poorly understood. Breeding is thought to mainly occur during winter and spring; however, it may occur at any time across the species range, possibly following rainfall. Nests are constructed low in a live tree or shrub, within a dry creek bed or bank, but usually not near water. The nest is a small, open, compact, cup-shaped structure made from dried plant stems, grass and bark bound by spider webs. The nest is lined with plant down, feathers, and animal hair, and suspended from the tree or shrub. Clutch size is thought to be two eggs variously described as oval, lengthened, rounded, glossy, lustreless, white, pink, sometimes unmarked or with light brown or purple spots. The incubation period is unknown, and it is thought that only a single brood is raised annually. Both sexes have been recorded performing distraction displays, when nests are approached.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- stable
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Northern House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
Small brownish wren, usually rather plain overall, with dark barring on the wings and tail. Lacks white eyebrow. Occurs in a variety of open or semiopen habitats, including suburbs, parks, rural farmland, and woodland edge with thick tangles. Larger, longer tailed, and generally slightly paler than Winter and Pacific Wrens. Often perches conspicuously when singing, but otherwise fairly secretive. Listen for bubbly song of chatters and trills, and harsh scolding calls.
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Polyerata amabilis
Male has glittering purple-blue throat, green back and crown, paler grayish belly, and dark tail. Female less obvious, with spotted chest; note the pink base to the lower mandible of the bill. She is smaller than most other female hummingbirds that have spotted chests, such as White-necked Jacobin. Usually seen fairly low at forest edge or shrubby second growth. Nearly identical to Charming Hummingbird but no range overlap.
Hispaniolan Nightjar
Antrostomus ekmani
Dark brown and buff nocturnal bird often first noted by its distinctive song, a low, burry “pit, whoo-vore?”, often given in rapid succession. Similar to migratory Chuck-will’s-widow, but plumage is darker and less buffy, and tail is tipped white in male or buff in female, though this may only be evident when seen from below. When seen from above, pale tail tip is indistinct, and helps separate it from the smaller Least Pauraque, which has a narrow and well-defined band at the end of the tail. Short wings that do not reach tail tip help distinguish it from Antillean Nighthawk. Inhabits forest and edge, and often seen along roads at night as its eyes gleam in the headlights of passing cars or the spotlights of birders. Sallies out to catch insects from the ground or a branch. Sleeps by day on the ground or a low perch. Endemic to Hispaniola. Cuban birds are now considered a separate species, Cuban Nightjar.
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