| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
Rather dumpy, grey-brown bird. Geographic variations. | Rather dumpy, grey-brown bird. Geographic variations. | ||
| − | '''Fiji:''' Upperparts dark ashy-brown. Darker with a faint crown gloss. Underparts lighter grey-buff with distinct pale streaking. Lower abdomen and chin pale buff. Stubby bill. Legs and iris dark brown. | + | '''Fiji:''' Upperparts dark ashy-brown. Darker with a faint crown gloss. Underparts lighter grey-buff with distinct pale streaking. Lower abdomen and chin pale buff. Stubby bill. Legs and iris dark brown. Broad, rounded wings. |
''Niuas Niuas'' ('''Tonga'''), '''Samoa''', '''Wallis and Futuna''', ''Southern Lau'' ('''Fiji''') Darker all over. Iris bright yellow. | ''Niuas Niuas'' ('''Tonga'''), '''Samoa''', '''Wallis and Futuna''', ''Southern Lau'' ('''Fiji''') Darker all over. Iris bright yellow. | ||
Only in ''Northern Lau'' is there a clear mixed zone of yellow and brown irises. | Only in ''Northern Lau'' is there a clear mixed zone of yellow and brown irises. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Regional Near-endemic. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ten subspecies show its range. ''A.t. tabuensis'' (Tonga, Fiji), ''A.t. tenebrosus'' and ''A.t. nesiotes'' (Tonga) ''A.t. brunnescens'' (Niue), ''A.t. manuae'' (Manu'a in American Samoa), ''A.t. tutuilae'' (Tutuila in American Samoa), ''A.t. brevirostris'' (Samoa), ''A.t. fortunae'' (Futuna) and ''A.t. rotumae'' (Rotuma in Fiji). Outside of Western Polynesia, found only on the island of Santa Cruz (Solomon Islands). | ||
==Habitat:== | ==Habitat:== | ||
Forest except on smaller islands where it inhabits villages. | Forest except on smaller islands where it inhabits villages. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Voice== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Complex, unmusical whistles, hisses and thrills. Commonly "introduces" its song by a squeaky whistle, followed by 2-4 toneless notes. The call which attracts the most attention is a fluty, high-pitched whistle "''twee twee''", which is regularly repeated. Often calls from an exposed display perch. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Flight has a fluttering quality. | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 19:57, 9 July 2007
- Aplonis tabuensis
Locality: Monasavu Dam, Viti Levu, Fiji.
Description
19cm
Rather dumpy, grey-brown bird. Geographic variations.
Fiji: Upperparts dark ashy-brown. Darker with a faint crown gloss. Underparts lighter grey-buff with distinct pale streaking. Lower abdomen and chin pale buff. Stubby bill. Legs and iris dark brown. Broad, rounded wings.
Niuas Niuas (Tonga), Samoa, Wallis and Futuna, Southern Lau (Fiji) Darker all over. Iris bright yellow.
Only in Northern Lau is there a clear mixed zone of yellow and brown irises.
Distribution
Regional Near-endemic.
Ten subspecies show its range. A.t. tabuensis (Tonga, Fiji), A.t. tenebrosus and A.t. nesiotes (Tonga) A.t. brunnescens (Niue), A.t. manuae (Manu'a in American Samoa), A.t. tutuilae (Tutuila in American Samoa), A.t. brevirostris (Samoa), A.t. fortunae (Futuna) and A.t. rotumae (Rotuma in Fiji). Outside of Western Polynesia, found only on the island of Santa Cruz (Solomon Islands).
Habitat:
Forest except on smaller islands where it inhabits villages.
Voice
Complex, unmusical whistles, hisses and thrills. Commonly "introduces" its song by a squeaky whistle, followed by 2-4 toneless notes. The call which attracts the most attention is a fluty, high-pitched whistle "twee twee", which is regularly repeated. Often calls from an exposed display perch.
Behaviour
Flight has a fluttering quality.
