Lesser Melampitta
Melampitta lugubris
Avilumen editorial team ·
The lesser melampitta is a medium-sized enigmatic terrestrial songbird of mountain forests of New Guinea. It is the only species in the genus Melampitta. It is now classified in the family Melampittidae, but in some other sources it is variously considered close to or in the Orthonychidae (logrunners), Paradisaeidae, Corcoracidae, Cnemophilidae (satinbirds) or Monarchidae.
The lesser melampitta (Melampitta lugubris) is a medium-sized enigmatic terrestrial songbird of mountain forests of New Guinea. It is the only species in the genus Melampitta. It is now classified (with the greater melampitta) in the family Melampittidae, but in some other sources it is variously considered close to or in the Orthonychidae (logrunners), Paradisaeidae (birds of paradise), Corcoracidae (Australian mud-nesters), Cnemophilidae (satinbirds) or Monarchidae (monarch flycatchers).
A local name, used by the Ketengban people of the Jayawijaya Mountains, is golík.
It is approximately 18 cm long and has an all-black plumage with long legs and short tail. Both sexes are almost similar, distinguished by the color of the iris. The male has crimson red iris while the female's are dark brown.
The lesser melampitta builds dome-like nest in the forests. The diet consists mainly of insects.
Widespread and a common species throughout its habitat range, the lesser melampitta is evaluated as least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paradisaeidae
- Genus
- Melampitta
- Conservation status
- Least concern
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HD Digital Art Pack — Lesser Melampitta
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Melampitta lugubris (Lesser Melampitta) endangered?
- The IUCN Red List places Melampitta lugubris, commonly known as the Lesser Melampitta, in the «Least concern» category. «Least concern» means it is not currently threatened.
- Where does Melampitta lugubris (Lesser Melampitta) live?
- Melampitta lugubris (Lesser Melampitta) is found in Indonesia.
- What family does Melampitta lugubris (Lesser Melampitta) belong to?
- Melampitta lugubris (Lesser Melampitta) belongs to the family Paradisaeidae, in the order Passeriformes.
- What colour is Melampitta lugubris (Lesser Melampitta)?
- The plumage of Melampitta lugubris (Lesser Melampitta) combines these colours: Brown and Grey.
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