From Opus
Alternative name: Eastern Shrike-tit
- Falcunculus frontatus
Includes Northern Shrike-tit and Western Shrike-tit
Northern Shrike-tit (
whitei)
Photo by
tcollinsKatherine Region NT
Australia, October 2007
[edit] Identification
Dull green back and wings, yellow belly and boldly marked black and white head, with a small black crest. Its bill is unusually deep, strong and hooked.
Leucogaster has a white belly.
Whitei is smaller and paler.
Females are similar to males but have a dark olive-green throat.
[edit] Distribution
Australia.
Leucogaster is currently in decline due to loss of habitat and is considered vulnerable. The nominate form is of least concern.
[edit] Taxonomy
Clements accepts three subspecies:
- F. f. frontatus (Eastern Shrike-tit) from SE Australia
- F. f. leucogaster (Western Shrike-tit) from Southwest Western Australia
- F. f. whitei (Northern Shrike-tit) from N Australia
Some authorities (Howard & Moore) merit full species status to all three forms. However neither Clements nor Sibley & Monroe have accepted this split and the Opus awaits further clarification.
[edit] Habitat
Woodlands.
[edit] Behaviour
Feeds mainly on insects, takes also spiders, fruit seeds and arils. Forages in trees, taking prey from barks or foliage.
Breeding season from August to January, usually double-brooded. The nest is a deep cup, made by the female with bark strips and dry grass. It's placed 6 - 15m high in a tree fork. Lays 2 - 3 eggs.
Nests parasitized by Pallid Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo and Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
Resident with some local movements.
[edit] References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
[edit] External Links
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