Alternative names: Loria's Cnemophilus; Loria's Bird-of-paradise; Velvet Satinbird
- Cnemophilus loriae
Identification
22cm. Has the basal upper ridge of culmen sharply keeled.
Male
- Velvety black plumage with purple and/or magenta sheen
- Fine, scale-like lores
- Iridiscent metallic green-blue head
- Dark brown eye
- Shiny black bill
- Conspicious bare gape-flanges and mouth interior yellowish-white
Female
- Olive-green plumage, browner on wings and tail
- No gape-flanges
Juveniles are grey, immatures resemble females.
Distribution
Endemic to the mountain ranges of New Guinea.
Common and widespread in its range, however rarely recorded due to its secretive habits.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies are recognized:
- C. l. inexpectatus in western and central mountain ranges of New Guinea
- C. l. amethystinus in eastern New Guinea
- C. l. loriae in southeast New Guinea
Sometimes placed in a monotypic genus, Loria.
Habitat
Moist montanes, forest edge and second growth. Occurs from 1500 - 3000m, mostly at 2000 - 2400m.
Behaviour
Usually seen alone.
Diet
Feeds mainly on fruits, takes also earthworms.
Breeding
Breeding season from November to February. A polygynous species. The promiscuous male attends traditional advertisement-singing perches where it performs its solitary display.
The female builds and attends the nest alone. The nest is a domed structure made with moss and fern fronds and placed 1.5m above the ground, hidden in the vegetation. Lays probably 1 egg.
Breeding
Presumably a resident species.
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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Loria's Satinbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 31 May 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Loria%27s_Satinbird
