Karakelong keel claw

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Karakelong keel claw
Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Crane birds (Gruiformes)
Family : Rallen (Rallidae)
Genre : Keel claws ( Amaurornis )
Type : Karakelong keel claw
Scientific name
Amaurornis magnirostris
Lambert , 1998

The Karakelongkielralle ( Amaurornis magnirostris ), also called Talaudkielralle referred to, is a little explored Rallenart from the kind of Kiel Coot ( Amaurornis ) formed on Karakelong in the north of Sulawesi located Talaud Islands endemic is.

features

The karakelong keel claw reaches a length of approximately 30.5 cm and a weight of 250 g. It is a large, dark, robust and large-headed keel rail with a clearly strong beak. The head and top are dark brown. The underside is distinctly dark gray, except for the browner flanks and thighs (which are colored more like the top). The iris is bright red, the beak is light green, the legs are yellow and the front is mostly dark olive brown. The Karakelong keel claw differs from other keel claws in that it has a completely dark underside and the lack of light under-tail coverts. The head is also relatively larger, the beak wider and the back of the beak clearly curved. The sexes are probably similar. The juvenile birds have not yet been described.

Vocalizations

The only known call of this type is a monotonous series of very loud frog-like tones that sound like deep barking.

Habitat and way of life

The Karakelongkielrake inhabits forests, including primary and secondary forests, as well as forest remnants also with low density. It can be observed in lush vegetation, scrub and overgrown plantations up to 3 km from the edge of the forest at altitudes of up to about 300 m. It tolerates some habitat changes, but the exact habitat requirements are not known. The species occurs sympatric with the Rotsteiß-Kielralle ( Amaurornis moluccana ). Nothing is known about the way of life.

status

BirdLife International classifies the species in the vulnerable category and estimates the population at approximately 2350 to 9560 specimens. The population is declining, mainly due to the loss and degradation of forests. It appears that it is currently restricted to Karakelong, the main island of the Talaud Archipelago. It is not known whether it also occurs on the smaller neighboring islands. The islanders catch the rails and use them as a source of food. However, this practice is mainly carried out outside the forests. Looting by rats is also a threat.

literature

  • Frank R. Lambert: A new species of Amaurornis from the Talaud Islands, Indonesia, and a review of taxonomy of bush hens occurring from the Philippines to Australia . In: Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club . tape 118 , no. 2 , 1998, p. 67-82 ( online [accessed August 20, 2013]).
  • Peter Barry Taylor, Ber van Perlo: Rails: A Guide to the Rails, Crakes, Gallinules and Coots of the World . Yale University Press, New Haven 1990, ISBN 978-0-300-07758-2 .

Web links