Long-legged Warbler
Encyclopedia
The Long-legged Thicketbird, Trichocichla rufa, is a small Old World warbler
endemic
to Fiji
. The species is sometimes known as the Long-legged Warbler. It is the sole representative of the genus
Trichocichla.
The Long-legged Thicketbird is a large thin warbler (19cm) with a long tail and long legs. The species' plumage is reddish brown, the throat, breast and belly being white and the face being marked with a distinctive eye-stripe. The Long-legged Warbler is a shy bird and easily overlooked as it forages on the ground in pairs or small family groups. It has a distinctive alarm call, and a variable and loud song
somewhat similar to that of the Fiji Bush-warbler
. The species inhabits old-growth forest in mountainous areas on Viti Levu, usually in habitat adjacent to streams.
The Long-legged Thicketbird was first collected in 1890 and four specimens were collected between then an 1894, after which the species was not seen again until 1974 (though there were a few unconfirmed sightings). In 1974 the Vanua Levu subspecies
Trichocichla rufa cluniei was discovered (although it has not been seen since). In 2003 scientists from BirdLife International
working in Wabu Forest Reserve in Viti Levu discovered a small population of Trichocichla rufa. 12 pairs, along with two recently fledge
d chicks, were observed by the team.
Other populations were subsequently found to occur in various locations in old-growth montane forest between 300 and 800 meters AMSL. The population is assessed to be stable or at least not declining rapidly, if very small (between 50-249 mature birds) but protection of sufficient habitat is necessary to keep it that way (BirdLife International, 2006). Threats include some logging and the impact of introduced predators (the Small Asian Mongoose and the Black Rat
). Neither has been quantified, but they appear not to be very serious at the moment. (BirdLife International, 2006)
Old World warbler
The "Old World Warblers" is the name used to describe a large group of birds formerly grouped together in the bird family Sylviidae. The family held over 400 species in over 70 genera, and were the source of much taxonomic confusion. Two families were split out initially, the cisticolas into...
endemic
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. The species is sometimes known as the Long-legged Warbler. It is the sole representative of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Trichocichla.
The Long-legged Thicketbird is a large thin warbler (19cm) with a long tail and long legs. The species' plumage is reddish brown, the throat, breast and belly being white and the face being marked with a distinctive eye-stripe. The Long-legged Warbler is a shy bird and easily overlooked as it forages on the ground in pairs or small family groups. It has a distinctive alarm call, and a variable and loud song
Bird song
Bird vocalization includes both bird calls and bird songs. In non-technical use, bird songs are the bird sounds that are melodious to the human ear. In ornithology and birding, songs are distinguished by function from calls.-Definition:The distinction between songs and calls is based upon...
somewhat similar to that of the Fiji Bush-warbler
Fiji Bush-warbler
The Fiji Bush-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is endemic to the islands of Fiji. There are four subspecies occurring on all the main islands of the group...
. The species inhabits old-growth forest in mountainous areas on Viti Levu, usually in habitat adjacent to streams.
The Long-legged Thicketbird was first collected in 1890 and four specimens were collected between then an 1894, after which the species was not seen again until 1974 (though there were a few unconfirmed sightings). In 1974 the Vanua Levu subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
Trichocichla rufa cluniei was discovered (although it has not been seen since). In 2003 scientists from BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
working in Wabu Forest Reserve in Viti Levu discovered a small population of Trichocichla rufa. 12 pairs, along with two recently fledge
Fledge
Fledge is the stage in a young bird's life when the feathers and wing muscles are sufficiently developed for flight. It also describes the act of a chick's parents raising it to a fully grown state...
d chicks, were observed by the team.
Other populations were subsequently found to occur in various locations in old-growth montane forest between 300 and 800 meters AMSL. The population is assessed to be stable or at least not declining rapidly, if very small (between 50-249 mature birds) but protection of sufficient habitat is necessary to keep it that way (BirdLife International, 2006). Threats include some logging and the impact of introduced predators (the Small Asian Mongoose and the Black Rat
Black Rat
The black rat is a common long-tailed rodent of the genus Rattus in the subfamily Murinae . The species originated in tropical Asia and spread through the Near East in Roman times before reaching Europe by the 1st century and spreading with Europeans across the world.-Taxonomy:The black rat was...
). Neither has been quantified, but they appear not to be very serious at the moment. (BirdLife International, 2006)