Black-crowned Pitta
Erythropitta ussheri
Dazzling pitta of Borneo’s lowland dipterocarp forests. Midnight blue above and blinding scarlet below, with a dark head, bright blue wing coverts, and a glowing silver line trailing backwards behind the eye. Garnet Pitta is very similar but has a bright red crown; ranges barely overlap, if at all. Despite incandescent coloration, can be difficult to see as it forages in dense undergrowth; especially favors well-shaded gullies and gulches. Listen for its song, a pure ascending whistle which ends abruptly.
识别特征
The birds grow to a length of 13–15.5 cm (5.1–6.1 in) and a weight of 50–64 g (1.8–2.3 oz). An adult pitta is distinctively marked with a black head and breast contrasting with a crimson belly and prominent, pale blue, narrow raised stripes extending back from the eyes. The upperparts are dark purple-blue with an iridescent azure patch on the bend of the wing. The tip of the bill is bright red to orange. Nestlings are yellow with coral-red gapes and bill tips. Juveniles are uniformly dark brown until they begin to acquire adult plumage.
分类信息
The pitta was formerly considered a subspecies of the garnet pitta but was split because of morphological and vocal differences as well as apparent parapatry. Lack of evidence of hybridisation suggests that the garnet and black-headed pittas are allospecies.
- 学名
- Erythropitta ussheri
- 命名信息
- (Gould, 1877)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Pittidae
- 属
- Erythropitta
分布与栖息地
The pitta has only been recorded from the Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo, where it occupies lowland tropical rainforests from sea level up to about 300 m, above which it is replaced by the blue-banded pitta. It prefers dark and damp places, especially ravines beneath dense cover. In prime habitat, such as the primary forest of the Danum Valley Conservation Area, recorded population densities are 21–22 pairs per square kilometre. It can also be found in areas that have been selectively logged as well as in overgrown rubber and Albizia plantations.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The breeding season extends from early February to late July, the driest time of the year. The nest has been described as domed, built on a muddy bank on a pile of coarse sticks and bark, with a cup made of fine roots and leaves, and a roof of leaves. A clutch of two is laid; the eggs are white with blotches and spots of dark red and black.<p>The pitta consumes a variety of largely invertebrate prey. Its diet includes spiders, ants, cockroaches, beetles and snails.<p>The call of the black-crowned pitta is similar to that of the garnet pitta in being characterised by a quiet whistle, lasting about four seconds, rising in both power and pitch. It differs in stopping less abruptly and in wavering slightly in mid-call.
保护状况
The pitta is likely to have been affected by the rapid and sustained deforestation which has taken place in northern Borneo. Despite the ability of the species to persist in some degraded habitats, it is thought to have suffered a moderately rapid population decline, and is however classified as least concern.
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Paint-billed Crake
Mustelirallus erythrops
A fairly small rail, mostly gray below and olive-brown above with bicolored bill (red base, yellow tip) and pinkish legs. Black and white barring on vent can be difficult to see. Shy and typically uncommon to rare. Most often found in dense marshy habitats, including flooded rice fields and pastures. However, not necessarily tied to water, and can also be found in moist forest with dense understory. Even its vocalizations aren’t well-known, but makes a low, fast, cooing trill.
Crested Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus lophotes
Large flycatcher found in grasslands and savannas with scattered trees. Unmistakable by its uniform black plumage and long thin crest; sexes similar. In flight shows a white wing patch. Usually silent, but the song is sharp and nasal “djew-pew.”
Speckle-throated Woodpecker
Campethera scriptoricauda
An attractive medium-sized woodpecker with an olive-green back and spotted pale underparts. Males have a red crown, nape, and moustache streak, while females have a black crown, a red nape, and a black-and-white moustache streak. Both sexes have a streaked black patch behind the eye. Found in savanna and woodland, including miombo. Very similar to Bennett’s Woodpecker, but there is little overlap in range; note Reichenow’s darker face. Females are further distinguished by their lack of brown cheek and throat patches. Fairly similar to Golden-tailed and Mombasa Woodpeckers, but distinguished by the spotted rather than striped breast. The vocalizations include burry nasal churring and whooping notes, often given by a group in chorus.
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