Western whipbird
| Western whipbird | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Psophodidae |
| Genus: | Psophodes |
| Species: | P. nigrogularis |
| Binomial name | |
| Psophodes nigrogularis Gould, 1844 | |
The western whipbird (Psophodes nigrogularis) is a passerine bird found in several scattered populations across southern Australia. It is predominantly olive green in colour.
A slim bird some 21 – 25 cm in length, it is olive green with a black throat and a narrow white cheek-patch edged with black on its face. It has a small crest and a long dark olive-green tail tipped with white, its underparts are a paler olive colour. The bill is black with blackish feet. Juveniles are a duller olive-brown in colour and lack the white cheek stripes and dark throat.[2]
Breeding occurs in spring; a bowl of twigs and sticks lined with softer material such as grasses, located in shrubs or trees less than 1–2 m above the ground. A clutch of two eggs, pale blue with blackish splotches and spots, measuring 26 x 19 mm.[3]
Four subspecies are recognised, though one has been considered by some to have specific status as the mallee whipbird (P. leucogaster). All are under threat to some degree.
- P. n. lashmari: (Rare) The Kangaroo Island subspecies is endemic to Kangaroo Island, being found in mallee there.[4]
- P. n. leucogaster: (Vulnerable) The Eastern mallee subspecies is found in scattered populations in mallee country on Northwestern Victoria and southern South Australia.[5]
- P. n. nigrogularis: (Endangered) The Western heath subspecies is now restricted to a small patch east of Albany, having disappeared from large parts of its range due to land clearance.[6]
- P. n. oberon: (Rare) The Western mallee subspecies is found in scattered populations between the Stirling Ranges and Ravensthorpe. It is apparently common in the Fitzgerald River National Park.[7]
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Psophodes nigrogularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
- ↑ Simpson K, Day N, Trusler P (1993). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Ringwood, Victoria: Viking O'Neil. p. 392. ISBN 0-670-90478-3.
- ↑ Beruldsen, G (2003). Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs. Kenmore Hills, Qld: self. p. 346. ISBN 0-646-42798-9.
- ↑ Garnett. p160
- ↑ Garnett. p161
- ↑ Garnett. p158
- ↑ Garnett. p159
Cited text
- Garnett, S. (1993) Threatened and Extinct Birds Of Australia. RAOU. National Library, Canberra. ISSN 0812-8014