Helmet vanga

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Helmet vanga
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vangidae
Genus: Euryceros
Lesson
, 1831
Species:
E. prevostii
Binomial name
Euryceros prevostii
Lesson
, 1831

The helmet vanga (Euryceros prevostii) is a distinctive-looking bird of the

habitat loss
.

Taxonomy

The helmet vanga is the only member of the genus Euryceros. Like most vangas it was originally placed in the

Laniidae. When the ornithologist Austin L. Rand moved the majority of the vangas into a separate family in 1936, he placed the helmet vanga in its own monotypic family, Eurycerotidae. It was moved to the vanga family by J. Dorst in 1960. The closest relative within the family is believed to be the rufous vanga, which is thought to have split from the helmet vanga 800,000 years ago.[2] The specific name prevostii commemorates the French artist Florent Prévost
.

Description

Global distribution

The helmet vanga is a large vanga, the second-largest species of vanga after the sickle-billed vanga. In length it measures 28 to 31 cm (11–12 in), and it weighs 84 to 114 g (3.0–4.0 oz). The most distinctive feature is the massive hooked bill, which is 51 mm (2.0 in) long and 30 mm (1.2 in) deep.[2] The plumage of the head, neck, throat, breast and belly is a solid blue-black, as are the primary coverts and remiges of the wing. The mantle, the back, and the rest of the wings are rufous. The tail, which is long and broad, is black below and rufous above. The bill is bright blue with a black tip. Both sexes are alike.[2]

Distribution and habitat

It is restricted to lowland and lower montane

Mantadia National Park
.

Behaviour

Adults mainly eat large insects, but food items brought to young in the nest may be more varied, including snails, lizards, spiders and crabs.

Breeding

Helmet vangas are

courtship feeding by a male before copulation. The clutch size is two or three pinkish white eggs.[3]

Threats and conservation

The helmet vanga is considered to be threatened with extinction due to

IUCN.[1]

Gallery

  • Skeleton of helmet vanga
    Skeleton of helmet vanga
  • Helmet vanga on nest, showing the massive bill
    Helmet vanga on nest, showing the massive bill
  • Feeding three chicks in the nest
    Feeding three chicks in the nest

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22708058A131736320.en
    . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-84-96553-50-7
    .
  3. S2CID 84507844
    .

Further reading

External links

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