Reunion Cuckooshrike
Lalage newtoni
Fairly small, slim cuckooshrike in which males and females are strikingly different. Males are mostly gray with black wings and tail. Females have brown upperparts and white underparts with fine dark barring. Both sexes have some white in the tail. The juvenile is a drastically different-looking brownish bird with strong wing bars and unmarked buff underparts. Rare and local in montane forest on the island of Reunion. Gives a variety of vocalizations, including a quick series of identical whistles, a slower series of more nasal notes, and rough scolding calls. Within its small range, most similar to Reunion Bulbul, but easily separated by many details, including the lack of an orange bill.
识别特征
The Réunion cuckooshrike is a small arboreal bird. The plumage is dimorphic between the sexes. The male is grey coloured with a darker back and lighter underside; the face is darker and has the impression of a mask. The female is quite different, being dark brown above and striped underneath with a white eye-line. The call of the species is a clear whistled tui tui tui, from which is derived its local Réunion Creole/French name, tuit-tuit.
分类信息
Dutch naturalist François Pollen described the Réunion cuckooshrike in 1866.
- 学名
- Lalage newtoni
- 命名信息
- (Pollen, 1866)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Campephagidae
- 属
- Lalage
分布与栖息地
The species is restricted to the forest canopy, with a distribution limited to two small patches of Réunion's native subtropical mountain forests in the north of the island. Although it once ranged across Réunion in suitable habitat, its stronghold is the Plaine des Chicots – Plaine d'Affouches Important Bird Area near the island capital of Saint-Denis. Its diet is principally insects, though fruit are also taken.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
保护状况
The Réunion cuckooshrike is a critically endangered species and is currently the focus of conservation efforts. Its range has declined significantly and is currently an area of just 16 km2. The population of the species is currently stable but at the low number of around 50 adult birds, and is very vulnerable to localised disasters such as forest fires or habitat degradation. Introduced cats and rats prey on the species (particularly on young birds), and introduced herbivores such as deer degrade what little habitat remains.<p>Formerly classified as an endangered species by the IUCN, it was suspected to be rarer than generally assumed. Following the evaluation of its status, this was found to be correct, and it is consequently uplisted to critically endangered status in 2008 as it is in immediate danger of extinction, numbering so few birds that it might be entirely wiped out by a single catastrophic event such as a tropical cyclone.<p>Pilot studies have shown that controlling rat and cat numbers around nesting sites leads to increased survival of chicks, and the test programme of trapping and poisoning is going to be expanded. The species' survival plan also includes recommendations to translocate some individuals to suitable habitat in other parts of the island.
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
其他鸟类
Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Lalage melanoptera
Male has dark slaty-gray head, neck, and upper breast; rest of the body is pale gray, with white on the belly. Wings darker than mantle. Female lacks the black hood, and has a whitish supercilium, brownish-gray upperparts with lightly barred back and rump, and buff-white underparts with wide brown bars. Juvenile is similar to female, but upperparts barred white. Immature similar to female. Song is a series of clear, loud whistles: “pee-pe-pe-pe-pe-twe-twee.” Some notes can be omitted, or additional notes added.
Pale White-eye
Zosterops flavilateralis
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the yellow underparts and the narrow white spectacles around the eyes. Found in dry thorn savanna, woodland, and scrub. Usually in hyperactive flocks, and often joins mixed flocks. Very similar to African Yellow White-eye, but shows less yellow above the bill, looks more washed-out overall, and prefers drier habitats. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes.
Craveri's Murrelet
Synthliboramphus craveri
Small seabird, black above and white below. Breeds in Mexico; found in warm water off southern California. Short, thin bill. Very similar to Scripps's Murrelet; best separated by gray, not white, underwings. Often seen in pairs on the water; frequently dives in search of fish.
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