Male has white line above eye, large white patch from ear-coverts down to side of neck; rest of head, upperparts to rump, and throat and breast black; uppertail-coverts and undertail-coverts pale buff, tail buffy white basally with broad black subterminal band; upperwing black, most of secondary wing-coverts white; lower underparts white, undersurface of wing black, iris dark brown; bill lead-grey to pale blue-gray, tip whitish; legs blue-grey. Female differs from male in having black head with white band extending from base of bill through and above eye and expanding onto side of neck; breast and underwing-cover white; flanks and lower abdomen pale buff. Juvenile is similar to female, but has area between bill and eye black, and remaining dark areas of plumage very dark brown (instead of black).
Not Threatened
Male has white line above eye, large white patch from ear-coverts down to side of neck; rest of head, upperparts to rump, and throat and breast black; uppertail-coverts and undertail-coverts pale buff, tail buffy white basally with broad black subterminal band; upperwing black, most of secondary wing-coverts white; lower underparts white, undersurface of wing black, iris dark brown; bill lead-grey to pale blue-gray, tip whitish; legs blue-grey. Female differs from male in having black head with white band extending from base of bill through and above eye and expanding onto side of neck; breast and underwing-cover white; flanks and lower abdomen pale buff. Juvenile is similar to female, but has area between bill and eye black, and remaining dark areas of plumage very dark brown (instead of black).
c. 20 cm; male 40-41g, female 38-40g
Taxonomy: Grallina bruijni Salvadori, 1876, Arfak Mountains, north-western New Guinea. Relationships of genus disputed; has in the past been thought to be closely related to the two species of Struthideidae, but genetic analyses indicate no such relationship; on basis of recent genetic studies, has been placed in drongo family (Dicruridae) or in monarch-flycatcher family (Monarchidae), and apparent close affiliation with latter supported by details of skull morphology; has also been suggested as being related, on basis of examination of skulls, to butcherbirds and currawongs (Cracticidae) and woodswallows (Artamidae) and, from comparison of egg-white protein, to the crows. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Distribution:
- Hills and mountains of New Guinea.
Near small, fast-flowing streams in rainforest and open grassland, mainly between 400 m and 2300 m in Snow Mts.
Invertebrate; small lizards occasionally caught and eaten. Forages on ground, mostly at edges and on exposed rocks and gravel of streams and on roads; mainly in shallows of streams, searching among boulders and fallen trees in and beside rushing water; takes items from surface of water. Sometimes captures aerial prey by sallying briefly into the air, usually from ground but sometimes from low perch. Very active, constantly calling and flying about; persistently wags tail from side to side, also fans wings. In pairs or small parties.
Few observation. Nests recorded Jun-Jan, predominantly dry season. Nest cup-shaped, made from mud and rootlets, placed on branch of tree or bush close to stream; clutch probably 1-4 eggs. No other information.