Alternative name: Stagemaker Bowerbird; Toothbill Catbird; Stagemaker; Tooth-billed Catbird
- Scenopoeetes dentirostris
Ailuroedus dentirostris
Identification
27cm. A stocky, olive-brown bird:
- Dark olive-brown upperparts
- Brown-streaked buffish-white below
- Dark deep-brown eye
- Relatively short legs
- Stout, black bill with notches and cusps on cutting edge of lower mandible, fitting into reciprocal indentations in closed upper mandible (adaption for leaf-eating)
Sexes similar.
Distribution
Only found in Queensland, Australia (Atherton Tablelands and surrounding areas).
Common in its small range.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Some authorities include this species in the genus Ailuroedus.
Habitat
Upland rainforest, usually found at 600 - 900m, locally higher, in winter lower.
Behaviour
Mainly a resident species. Some birds descend to lower levels in winter.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruits, takes also some flowers, stems, leaves and animals (mostly arthropods). In winter mainly leaves and succulent stems.
Breeding
Breeding season from September to January, peak in November to December. The male is polygamous and builds a display-court or "stage-type bower", decorated with fresh green leaves laid with pale underside uppermost. Upon the approach of a female the male drops to the ground and displays. The female builds a nest near by of some sticks and lays 1 - 2 eggs.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
- Simpson, K and N Day. 1998. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 0-7136-4877-5
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Tooth-billed Bowerbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Tooth-billed_Bowerbird
