Congo Peacock
Afropavo congensis
An amazing and distinctive red-throated and green-backed pheasant with different-looking sexes: male is blue-black below with a white crest, and female has russet underparts and crest. Africa’s only pheasant, unlikely to be confused with other birds. Very rare, skittish, and seldom seen, restricted to the central Congo Basin of Democratic Republic of Congo, which is difficult to access. Pairs duet, often at night, with a “goway-gowaa” and also a guttural “kuw-kuw” contact call.
识别特征
The male (peacock) of this species is a large bird of up to 64–70 cm (25–28 in) in length. Though much less impressive than his Asiatic cousins, the male's feathers are nevertheless deep blue with a metallic green and violet tinge. He has bare red neck skin, grey feet, and a black tail with fourteen tail feathers. His crown is adorned with vertical white elongated hair-like feathers.<p>The female (peahen) measures up to 60–63 centimetres (24–25 in) in length and is generally a chestnut brown bird with a black abdomen, metallic green back, and a short chestnut brown crest. Both sexes resemble immature Asian peafowl, with early stuffed birds being erroneously classified as such before they were officially designated as members of a unique species.
分类信息
- 学名
- Afropavo congensis
- 命名信息
- Chapin, 1936
- 目
- Galliformes
- 科
- Phasianidae
- 属
- Afropavo
分布与栖息地
The Congo peafowl inhabits and is endemic to the Central Congolian lowland forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where it has also been designated the national bird. It occurs in both primary and secondary forest in Salonga National Park. Secondary signs of its presence like droppings and feathers were more frequently encountered in regenerating secondary forest than in primary forest. In secondary forest, its droppings were found close to watercourses, where trees were smaller and plant diversity lower than in primary forest.<p>In the 1990s, it was recorded in Maiko National Park, foremost in low hills and ridges between watersheds.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The Congo peafowl is an omnivore with a diet consisting mainly of fruits and insects. In Salonga National Park, its diet includes fruits from Allanblackia floribunda, junglesop, Canarium schweinfurthii, oil palm, Klainedoxa gabonensis, African breadfruit, and Xylopia aethiopica and a multitude of insects, spiders, mollusks and worms.<p>In Salonga National Park, its diet is taxonomically narrower in secondary forest than in primary forest. The male has a similar display to that of other species of peafowl, though the Congo peacock actually fans its tail feathers while other peacocks fan their upper tail covert feathers. The Congo peafowl is monogamous, though detailed mating information from the wild is still needed. The peacock of the species has a high-pitched "gowe" calling noise while the peahen emits a low "gowah". They have loud duets consisting of "rro-ho-ho-o-a" from both sexes.[citation needed]
保护状况
The Congo peafowl is listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. As of 2013, the wild population was estimated at between 2,500 and 9,000 adult individuals.Given its use of regenerating forest in Salonga National Park, secondary forests might be an important habitat to include in a conservation strategy.<p>Captive breeding programs were initiated in the Belgian Antwerp Zoo and at Salonga National Park.
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
其他鸟类
Sandhill Crane
Antigone canadensis
Large, long-legged bird shaped much like a heron. Gray body, sometimes with intense rusty staining. Adults have red crown. Often in large flocks at migration and wintering concentration points. Favors marshes and agricultural fields where they eat primarily grains. In flight, neck is outstretched, unlike herons with tucked necks. Snappy wingbeats. Listen for far-carrying bugling call.
Great Grebe
Podiceps major
Huge grebe with a long dagger-like bill, a dark gray head, and long, thin rufous neck. The face is paler gray in the nonbreeding season. Inhabits large open areas of water including large rivers and coastal lagoons. Outside of the breeding season may be found on estuaries and along the coast.
Black Wood-Pigeon
Columba janthina
The largest pigeon in the region, with dark purplish plumage except for metallic green around the neck. Generally uncommon endemic of islands off Japan, and to a lesser extent South Korea and Taiwan. Occurs in mature broadleaf forests, where it forages on the ground or in canopy. Also favors pines, especially in the Ryukyu Islands. Rustles about loudly when feeding. Deep call and slow moaning song may recall the everyday Rock Pigeon.
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