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Eastern Shrike-tit - BirdForum Opus

Revision as of 12:18, 8 November 2009 by Wintibird (talk | contribs) (photo date)
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Photo by rebelxt
Adelaide, Australia, November 2005

Alternative name: Eastern Shrike-tit

Falcunculus frontatus

Includes Northern Shrike-tit and Western Shrike-tit

Northern Shrike-tit (whitei)
Photo by tcollins
Katherine Region NT Australia, October 2007

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.

Distribution

Australia.
Leucogaster is currently in decline due to loss of habitat and is considered vulnerable. The nominate form is of least concern.

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.

Western Shrike-tit (leucogaster)
Photo by aladyforty
Torbay, Western Australia, July 2006

Habitat

Woodlands.

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.

References

  1. 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.
  2. 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

Recommended Citation

External Links

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