Madagascar grass singer
| Madagascar grass singer | ||||||||||||
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Madagascar grass warbler ( Bradypterus seebohmi ) |
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| Bradypterus seebohmi | ||||||||||||
| ( Sharpe , 1879) |
The Madagascar grass warbler ( Bradypterus seebohmi , syn .: Amphilais seebohmi ), also known as the Seebohm bush warbler or dwarf emu tail , is a species of bird from the grass warbler family (Locustellidae). It was described by Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1879 as Dromaeocercus seebohmi and placed in the monotypical genus Amphilais by Shane A. Parker in 1984 . According to recent molecular genetic studies, it is now listed in the genus Bradypterus . The species is named after the British ornithologist Henry Seebohm .
description
The Madagascar grass warbler reaches a length of 17 centimeters and a weight of 20 grams. The long, stepped tail is fragile in appearance and is enlarged by protruding feather shafts. The feather branches are far apart. The head and top are gray-brown. The significantly shortened upper tail-coverts are lively brown washed out. The top of the head, nape of the neck and top are rather noticeably dashed and show black feather centers. The tail is brownish. The dots on the throat are more brown than on the chest. The flanks and abdomen are olive brown. The iris is brown. The upper jaw is blackish, the lower jaw is grayish horn-colored. The legs are flesh pink. The sexes look the same. The underside of juvenile birds is washed out yellowish. His voice consists of clear, melodious whistles. A teeo-teeo-teeo is repeated approximately twelve times, followed by harsh chatter or rattles. The reputation includes a sharp chit .
distribution
The distribution area extends to the Central Massif and the region of Tsaratanana in eastern Madagascar . Well-known observation sites are the surroundings of Andringitra, Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana, Sahavadronina, Ankaratra, Manjakatompo, Antananarivo , Perinet and Andapa.
habitat
The Madagascar grass warbler inhabits montane grass and heathland with swampy vegetation, especially on the border with the coniferous forest zone. It can also be found in swampy basins, in rainforest clearings and occasionally in rice fields. It usually occurs at altitudes between 1800 m and 2600 m. However, some observations were also made at an altitude of 900 m.
Way of life
The Madagascar grass warbler feeds on small insects. It moves slowly and well hidden through the vegetation. He climbs nimbly between the blades of grass and is generally only noticeable through his singing. If it is startled, it will fly low. Apart from family groups, he has a solitary lifestyle. Little is known about its breeding biology, as only two nests have been described so far. The breeding season is in November. The deep, bowl-shaped nests were discovered in the tufts of grass and were built from intertwined blades of grass. The lining was made of soft grass. Both nests contained two nestlings each.
literature
- J. Del Hoyo, A. Elliot, and David A. Christie (Eds.): Handbook of the Birds of the World . Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Lynx Edicions 2006, ISBN 849655306X
Web link
- Amphilais seebohmi inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Per Alström, A. Cibois, M. Irestedt, D. Zuccon, M. Gelang, J. Fjeldså, MJ Andersen, RG Moyle, E. Pasquet, & U. Olsson: Comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the grassbirds and allies (Locustellidae) reveals extensive non-monophyly of traditional genera, and a proposal for a new classification . In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 2018, p. 367–375 , doi : 10.1016 / j.ympev.2018.03.029 .