Scarlet-breasted fruiteater

Last updated

Scarlet-breasted fruiteater
Pipreola frontalis squamipectus.jpg
Male P. f. squamipectus
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cotingidae
Genus: Pipreola
Species:
P. frontalis
Binomial name
Pipreola frontalis
(Sclater, PL, 1859)
Pipreola frontalis map 2.svg

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater (Pipreola frontalis) is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru where its natural habitat is subtropical and tropical moist montane forests. Two subspecies are recognised though some researchers consider these should be regarded as distinct species. It is a plump green bird with a black head, the males having red throats and the females yellow. It is a relatively common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "least concern".

Contents

Taxonomy and systematics

First described by British ornithologist Philip Sclater in 1858, [2] the scarlet-breasted fruiteater is one of eleven species in the genus Pipreola . [3] Its holotype is held at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, in Philadelphia. [4] The species is closely related to the fiery-throated fruiteater, but is found at higher elevations. [5] There are two subspecies, which some taxonomists think represent two distinct species. [6]

The genus name given to the fruiteaters, Pipreola, is a diminutive of Pipra, which is the genus name Carl Linnaeus gave to the similarly shaped manakins. [8] The specific name frontalis is a Modern Latin word meaning "fronted" or "browed". [9]

Description

Like all Pipreola fruiteaters, the scarlet-breasted fruiteater is a plump, short-tailed cotinga. [10] It is relatively small for a fruiteater, measuring 15.5–16.5 cm (6.1–6.5 in) in length; [6] its mass ranges from 39.5 to 45.3 g (1.39 to 1.60 oz), with an average of 42.4 g (1.50 oz). [11] The species is sexually dimorphic; the male is considerably more colorful than the female. [10] Both sexes have bright green upperparts, with narrow yellow tips to the tertial feathers. [12] The male's throat and upper breast are bright red (less extensively colored in P. f. squamipectus than in P. f. frontalis), while the female's underparts are yellow with green scaling or spots. Its legs and feet are pink or orange. [13]

Distribution and habitat

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater is restricted to the eastern slope of the Andes from northeastern Ecuador through eastern Peru to central Bolivia. [5] It is found in montane forests at elevations ranging from 900–2,000 m (3,000–6,600 ft) above sea level. [13]

Behavior

Scarlet-breasted Fruiteaters tend to occur higher up in the trees than many other fruiteaters. Pipreola frontalis dorsal.jpg
Scarlet-breasted Fruiteaters tend to occur higher up in the trees than many other fruiteaters.

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater is arboreal and often occurs higher up, from mid-levels to sub-canopy, than many other members of its genus. [6] Like other fruiteaters, it tends to be rather lethargic. [14]

Feeding

As its name suggests, the scarlet-breasted fruiteater eats primarily fruit, which it picks while hover-gleaning or, less frequently, while perched. [14]

Voice

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater's vocalizations are generally short, high-pitched and infrequent. The song of the P. f. squamipectus male is sharp and ascending, variously transcribed as "psii" [12] or "tsweeet", while the song of the P. f. frontalis male is longer and more complex—a thin, rising trill that becomes a descending whistle, transcribed as "ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'tseeeeeeeeer". Its call is a very high-pitched pseet. [13]

Conservation and threats

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes the Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater as a species of "least concern", based on its very large range and its status as a fairly common species within its range. However, its population size has never been quantified, and is thought to be decreasing. [15]

The scarlet-breasted fruiteater is known to carry several species of bird lice, including members of the genera Myrsidea and Philopterus . [16]

Citations

  1. BirdLife International 2016.
  2. Sibley & Monroe 1990, p. 371.
  3. "ITIS Report: Pipreola". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  4. "Clement B. Newbold (1905–1984)". Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 Sibley & Monroe 1990, p. 372.
  6. 1 2 3 Ridgely & Tudor, p. 506.
  7. "ITIS Report: Pipreola frontalis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  8. Jobling 2010, p. 308.
  9. Jobling 2010, p. 165.
  10. 1 2 Ridgely & Greenfield, p. 543.
  11. Dunning Jr., John B. (2007). CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, Florida, US: CRC Press. p. 287. ISBN   978-1-4200-6445-2.
  12. 1 2 Ridgely & Greenfield, p. 545.
  13. 1 2 3 Schulenberg, Thomas S.; Stotz, Douglas F.; Lane, Daniel F.; O'Neill, John P.; Parker III, Theodore A. (2007). Birds of Peru. London, UK: Christopher Helm. p. 492. ISBN   978-0-7136-8673-9.
  14. 1 2 Ridgely & Tudor, p. 504.
  15. "Scarlet-breasted Fruiteater Pipreola frontalis". BirdLife International. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  16. Clayton, Gregory & Price 1992, p. 791.

Sources

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-necked jacobin</span> Species of hummingbird

The white-necked jacobin is a medium-size hummingbird that ranges from Mexico south through Central America and northern South America into Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. It is also found in Trinidad & Tobago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazilia hummingbird</span>

The amazilia hummingbird is a hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is the only species placed in the genus Amazilis. It is found in Ecuador and Peru. Its six subspecies differ primarily in their throat and belly colors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olive-crowned flowerpecker</span> Species of bird

The olive-crowned flowerpecker is a small passerine bird in the flowerpecker family, Dicaeidae. It is found in far western New Guinea and on adjacent islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barred fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The barred fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae, found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The population is stable, and they are considered common.

<i>Pipreola</i> Genus of birds

Pipreola is a genus of bird in the family Cotingidae. Together with Ampelioides tschudii, they are collectively known as fruiteaters. All are restricted to humid montane or foothill forest in western or northern South America. They are thickset birds with predominantly greenish upperparts. Males of most species have black heads and/or reddish, orange or yellow to the throat, chest or belly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-breasted fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The golden-breasted fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in Colombia, and Venezuela, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Considering range and population size, this species is not considered vulnerable

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiery-throated fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The fiery-throated fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is becoming rare due to habitat destruction of its rainforest habitat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handsome fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The handsome fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is endemic to coastal mountains of northern Venezuela. Two populations of the species live in the northern mountainous regions, separated by 400 km (250 mi). Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band-tailed fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The band-tailed fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found at high altitudes in the subtropical and tropical moist montane forests of Bolivia and Peru. It is a plump green bird with chevron-shaped markings on the flanks and a tail with a black band and white tip. Males have a black head and bib and a narrow yellow collar, while females lack these features. Both sexes have red beaks and legs. This is a relatively common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange-breasted fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The orange-breasted fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae native to Colombia and Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is a plump green bird about 18 centimetres (7 in) long. Males have a glossy black head and bib, an orange throat and yellow belly. Females lack the dark head and have green upper parts and green and yellow streaked underparts. Both sexes have orange beaks and greyish-green legs. This is a relatively common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-chested fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The black-chested fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, mostly on the eastern side of the Andes. Its natural habitat is subtropical and tropical moist montane forests and the IUCN lists its status as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masked fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The masked fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae endemic to Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests on the eastern flanks of the Andes. Considering the bird's population size and its wide range, this species is classified by the IUCN as being of least concern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green-and-black fruiteater</span> Species of bird

The green-and-black fruiteater is a species of bird in the family Cotingidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, where its habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Because of its range and population size this species is not classified as threatened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden-naped tanager</span> Species of bird

The golden-naped tanager is a species of bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in South America from Colombia to Bolivia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and heavily degraded former forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great thrush</span> Species of bird

The great thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. It is considered as the largest thrush in South America. The great thrush's size distinguishes it from the several other uniform slaty-colored thrushes in its range. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and high-altitude shrubland, but can also make use of degraded forest and urban areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-throated woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The yellow-throated woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimson-mantled woodpecker</span> Species of bird

The crimson-mantled woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufous-breasted piculet</span> Species of woodpecker

The rufous-breasted piculet is a species of bird in subfamily Picumninae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-crowned trogon</span> Species of bird

The blue-crowned trogon is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae, the quetzals and trogons. It is found in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. As with all trogons, this species is sexually dimorphic. The male has a blue head with an orange orbital ring, a red belly with a narrow white breastband and a green back. The female differs in having a grey head, a grey back and a broken white eye-ring.

P. frontalis may refer to: