Painted berrypecker: Difference between revisions
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The '''painted berrypeckers''', '''Paramythiidae''', are a very small [[bird]] family restricted to the mountain forests of [[New Guinea]]. |
The '''painted berrypeckers''', '''Paramythiidae''', are a very small [[bird]] family restricted to the mountain forests of [[New Guinea]]. The family comprises two species in two [[genus|genera]]: the [[Tit Berrypecker]] (''Oreocharis arfaki'') and the [[Crested Berrypecker]] (''Paramythia montium'').<ref name = "HBW">{{Citation | first = Brian | last = Coates | first2 = | last2 = | first3 = | last3 = | first4 = | last4 = | first5 = | last5 = | first6 = | last6 = | editor-last = Josep | editor-first = del Hoyo | editor2-last = Andrew | editor2-first = Elliott | editor3-last = David | editor3-first = Christie | contribution = Family Paramythiidae (Painted berrypeckers) | title = [[Handbook of the Birds of the World]]. Volume 13, Penduline-tits to Shrikes | year = 2008 | pages = 340-349 | place = Barcelona | publisher = Lynx Edicions | isbn = 978-84-96553-45-3 }}</ref> These are colourful medium-sized birds which feed on fruit and some insects. These species were formerly included in the [[Dicaeidae]], but DNA-DNA hybridization studies showed these species were related to each other but distinct from the flowerpeckers. |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The painted berrypeckers are small to medium sized [[passerine]] birds. The smaller species, the [[Tit Berrypecker]], ranges from |
The painted berrypeckers are small to medium sized [[passerine]] birds. The smaller species, the [[Tit Berrypecker]], ranges from 12–14 cm in length and weighs around 17-21 g. The larger [[Crested Berrypecker]] is 19-22 cm in length and weighs 36-61 g. The variation in size in the Crested Berrypecker is due to differences in altitude ([[Rapoport's rule]]), with birds being larger at higher altitudes. Both species have short necks, moderately long and broad rounded wings, and plump bodies. The tails vary between the two species, with the Tit Berrypecker having a short square one and that of the Crested Berrypecker being longish. In both species the short [[beak|bill]] is strong and black.<ref name = "HBW"/> |
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The [[plumage]] of both species is soft, downy and brightly coloured. In both species the backs and wings are green and the tail is blue-grey In the Tit Berrypecker the plumage is [[sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]], with the male having bright yellow patches on the face, wing and chest but the female being overall duller. Both sexes of the Crested Berrypecker are similar, but the species exhibits instead some variation between two [[subspecies]]. The plumages of the juveniles resemble the female in the case of the Tit Berrypecker and dull adults in the case of the Crested Berryecker. The Crested Berrypecker has, as suggested by the name, an erectile crest. Both species have unique filoplumes on the flanks that are not visible in the field and the function of is unknown.<ref name = "HBW"/> |
The [[plumage]] of both species is soft, downy and brightly coloured. In both species the backs and wings are green and the tail is blue-grey. In the Tit Berrypecker the plumage is [[sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]], with the male having bright yellow patches on the face, wing and chest but the female being overall duller. Both sexes of the Crested Berrypecker are similar, but the species exhibits instead some variation between two [[subspecies]]. The plumages of the juveniles resemble the female in the case of the Tit Berrypecker and dull adults in the case of the Crested Berryecker. The Crested Berrypecker has, as suggested by the name, an erectile crest. Both species have unique filoplumes (hairlike feathers) on the flanks that are not visible in the field and the function of which is unknown.<ref name = "HBW"/> |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
==Distribution and habitat== |
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Both species of painted berrypecker are [[endemism|endemic]] to the islands of [[New Guinea]], one of two families to be restricted to the island (the other being the [[Melanocharitidae|berrypeckers and longbills]]). Both species are restricted to montane areas, usually above 2200 m, though the Tit Berrypecker does occur as far down as 850 on occasions, and that species has a generally lower distribution than the Crested Berrypecker. Both species are arboreal birds of montane forest, particularly mossy forest. At higher altitudes the Crested Berrypecker will also inhabit stunted alpine forest and alpine thickets. It is unknown if the two species make any [[bird migration|migratory]] movements, although it has been suggested that the Tit Berrypecker may be partly nomadic.<ref name ="HBW"/> |
Both species of painted berrypecker are [[endemism|endemic]] to the islands of [[New Guinea]], one of two families to be restricted to the island (the other being the [[Melanocharitidae|berrypeckers and longbills]]). Both species are restricted to montane areas, usually above 2200 m, though the Tit Berrypecker does occur as far down as 850 on occasions, and that species has a generally lower distribution than the Crested Berrypecker. Both species are arboreal birds of montane forest, particularly mossy forest. At higher altitudes the Crested Berrypecker will also inhabit stunted alpine forest and alpine thickets. It is unknown if the two species make any [[bird migration|migratory]] movements, although it has been suggested that the Tit Berrypecker may be partly nomadic.<ref name ="HBW"/> |
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==Behaviour== |
==Behaviour== |
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The painted berrypeckers are common, active and [[diurnality|diurnal]] birds. They usually occur in pairs or in small groups, up to 30 |
The painted berrypeckers are common, active, and [[diurnality|diurnal]] birds. They usually occur in pairs or in small groups, up to 30 Tit Berrypeckers or 10 Crested Berrypeckers. The Crested Berrypecker flocks are occasionally joined by [[mixed-species feeding flock]]s of insectivorous birds such as [[fantail]]s, [[honeyeater]]s and the [[Blue-capped Ifrita]], and Tit Berrypeckers often joins other bird species such as honeyeaters and [[birds of paradise]] in feeding trees. |
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As far as is known, the painted berrypeckers are almost entirely frugivorous. Small fruits and berries comprise the biggest part of the diet, although the Tit Berrypecker has also been recorded eating small flowers. |
As far as is known, the painted berrypeckers are almost entirely frugivorous. Small fruits and berries comprise the biggest part of the diet, although the Tit Berrypecker has also been recorded eating small flowers. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/painted_berrypeckers.html Bird Families of the World: Painted berrypeckers] |
* [http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/painted_berrypeckers.html Bird Families of the World: Painted berrypeckers] |
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[[Category:Paramythiidae]] |
[[Category:Paramythiidae]] |
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Revision as of 22:51, 16 January 2009
| Painted berrypeckers | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Family: | Paramythiidae
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Oreocharis | |
The painted berrypeckers, Paramythiidae, are a very small bird family restricted to the mountain forests of New Guinea. The family comprises two species in two genera: the Tit Berrypecker (Oreocharis arfaki) and the Crested Berrypecker (Paramythia montium).[1] These are colourful medium-sized birds which feed on fruit and some insects. These species were formerly included in the Dicaeidae, but DNA-DNA hybridization studies showed these species were related to each other but distinct from the flowerpeckers.
Description
The painted berrypeckers are small to medium sized passerine birds. The smaller species, the Tit Berrypecker, ranges from 12–14 cm in length and weighs around 17-21 g. The larger Crested Berrypecker is 19-22 cm in length and weighs 36-61 g. The variation in size in the Crested Berrypecker is due to differences in altitude (Rapoport's rule), with birds being larger at higher altitudes. Both species have short necks, moderately long and broad rounded wings, and plump bodies. The tails vary between the two species, with the Tit Berrypecker having a short square one and that of the Crested Berrypecker being longish. In both species the short bill is strong and black.[1]
The plumage of both species is soft, downy and brightly coloured. In both species the backs and wings are green and the tail is blue-grey. In the Tit Berrypecker the plumage is sexually dimorphic, with the male having bright yellow patches on the face, wing and chest but the female being overall duller. Both sexes of the Crested Berrypecker are similar, but the species exhibits instead some variation between two subspecies. The plumages of the juveniles resemble the female in the case of the Tit Berrypecker and dull adults in the case of the Crested Berryecker. The Crested Berrypecker has, as suggested by the name, an erectile crest. Both species have unique filoplumes (hairlike feathers) on the flanks that are not visible in the field and the function of which is unknown.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Both species of painted berrypecker are endemic to the islands of New Guinea, one of two families to be restricted to the island (the other being the berrypeckers and longbills). Both species are restricted to montane areas, usually above 2200 m, though the Tit Berrypecker does occur as far down as 850 on occasions, and that species has a generally lower distribution than the Crested Berrypecker. Both species are arboreal birds of montane forest, particularly mossy forest. At higher altitudes the Crested Berrypecker will also inhabit stunted alpine forest and alpine thickets. It is unknown if the two species make any migratory movements, although it has been suggested that the Tit Berrypecker may be partly nomadic.[1]
Behaviour
The painted berrypeckers are common, active, and diurnal birds. They usually occur in pairs or in small groups, up to 30 Tit Berrypeckers or 10 Crested Berrypeckers. The Crested Berrypecker flocks are occasionally joined by mixed-species feeding flocks of insectivorous birds such as fantails, honeyeaters and the Blue-capped Ifrita, and Tit Berrypeckers often joins other bird species such as honeyeaters and birds of paradise in feeding trees.
As far as is known, the painted berrypeckers are almost entirely frugivorous. Small fruits and berries comprise the biggest part of the diet, although the Tit Berrypecker has also been recorded eating small flowers.
References
- ^ a b c d Coates, Brian (2008), "Family Paramythiidae (Painted berrypeckers)", in Josep, del Hoyo; Andrew, Elliott; David, Christie (eds.), Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13, Penduline-tits to Shrikes, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 340–349, ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3