Pilotbird
| Pilotbird | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pilotbird, Blue Mountains | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Acanthizidae |
| Genus: | Pycnoptilus Gould, 1851 |
| Species: | P. floccosus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pycnoptilus floccosus Gould, 1851
| |
| Subspecies[2] | |
| |
The pilotbird (Pycnoptilus floccosus) is a species of passerine
.Taxonomy
The species was first described by English ornithologist John Gould in 1851. The generic name Pycnoptilus derives from the Ancient Greek pyknos 'thick' and ptilon 'feather'.[3] Its specific epithet floccosus is Late Latin for 'flocked with wool'.[3] There are two subspecies: the nominate subspecies Pycnoptilus floccosus floccosus lives in alpine areas; and P. f. sandfordi lives in lowland forest.[4][5]
Description
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).[4] The plumage of the underparts is reddish-brown with scalloping on the chest and the centre of the belly speckled dull white. The upperparts are chocolate-brown.[5][6] The bill is short and finely pointed.[7] Its tail is broad and semi-erect, and flicked up and down when feeding.[5][8]
Distribution and habitat
The pilotbird is found from the
Behaviour
Its name comes from its supposed habit of following lyrebirds, taking prey that they flush, and also from its call guiding bushmen seeking for lyrebirds.[7] This habit is well known but seldom observed. The pilotbird is highly terrestrial, feeding on or near the ground and when disturbed it runs swiftly on strong legs.[7] Its call has been described as "piercing and sweet".[8] The male makes a far-carrying call of wit-wit-weet-WHEER to which the female may respond with a softer wit-a-wit-ee.[7][8][4]
Breeding
The breeding season for the pilotbird is from August to December.
Conservation
The pilotbird is fairly common within its small range, which has reduced as a result of forest clearance and urban development, but much of its habitat is within national parks or reserves.[4] Its habitat is also threatened by climate change, severe weather and bushfires;[10] nevertheless, the most recent assessment in October 2016 classified the pilotbird as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.[10] The pilotbird was listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act in 2022,[11] in response to the 2019/2020 Australian Bushfires, which burnt 47% of its distribution, and contributed to an estimated 30-50% decline in the population.[12]
References
- . Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- .
- ^ a b Jobling, James A. (2010). "Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird-names". Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ S2CID 216253532.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-85179-813-4.
- ISBN 978-0-670-87918-2.)
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link - ^ ISBN 978-1-74021-417-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7322-2436-3.
- ^ "eBird map: Pilotbird". Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Species Profile and Threats Database - Pilotbird, Pycnoptilus floccosus".
- ^ Conservation Advice for Pycnoptilus floccosus (Pilotbird) In effect under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 from 2 March 2022. https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/525-conservation-advice-02032022.pdf
