Pilotbird

Pilotbird
Pilotbird, Monga NP
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Acanthizidae
Genus: Pycnoptilus
Gould, 1851
Species: P. floccosus
Binomial name
Pycnoptilus floccosus
Gould, 1851

The pilotbird (Pycnoptilus floccosus) is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae. It is monotypic within the genus Pycnoptilus. The species is endemic to south-east New South Wales and eastern Victoria in Australia. Its natural habitat is temperate wet sclerophyll forests and occasionally temperate rainforest. There are two subspecies Pycnoptilus floccosus floccosus lives in alpine areas of New South Wales such as the Snowy Mountains and Pycnoptilus floccosus sandfordi lives in lowland forest from Newcastle to Melbourne.

The pilotbird is a large, plump species of acanthizid, measuring around 18 centimetres (7.1 in) in length and weighing 27 grams (0.95 oz). It has a large head and a short bill. The plumage is mostly brown with scalloping on the chest and an orangeish throat. The species is highly terrestrial. The name of the species comes from its supposed habit of following lyrebirds, taking prey that they flush. This habit is well known but seldom observed.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Pycnoptilus floccosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  • del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2006). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-84-96553-42-2


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