Has dark grey head, olive- green upperparts; upperwing dusky brown, remiges narrowly edged olive- green, tail dusky brown; chin and upper throat dark grey, throat side and underparts bright yellow, dark olive- green breast- band; iris dark brown; bill black; legs pale yellow to orange. Sexes alike. Juvenile is apparently entirely or largely rufous (based on colour or residual nestling feathers on some specimens); immature as adult, but retaining juvenile upperwing- coverts. Voice: Song of 5 bell- like notes, first 2 slightly shorter than next 3, which run together, ”tu- tu- tootootoo”. Possible agonistic call 7 fairly loud, cicada- like vibrating and whining notes; also rapid ”poptidipop- tidipop- tidipop” whistle, apparently during territorial disputes; also 2- note whistle, ”wouw- wouw”.
Near-threatened
Has dark grey head, olive- green upperparts; upperwing dusky brown, remiges narrowly edged olive- green, tail dusky brown; chin and upper throat dark grey, throat side and underparts bright yellow, dark olive- green breast- band; iris dark brown; bill black; legs pale yellow to orange. Sexes alike. Juvenile is apparently entirely or largely rufous (based on colour or residual nestling feathers on some specimens); immature as adult, but retaining juvenile upperwing- coverts. Voice: Song of 5 bell- like notes, first 2 slightly shorter than next 3, which run together, ”tu- tu- tootootoo”. Possible agonistic call 7 fairly loud, cicada- like vibrating and whining notes; also rapid ”poptidipop- tidipop- tidipop” whistle, apparently during territorial disputes; also 2- note whistle, ”wouw- wouw”.
14- 15 cm; 24- 28 g
Taxonomy: Eopsaltria placens E. P. Ramsay, 1879, Goldie River, south-east New Guinea. Formerly placed in a monotypic genus, Genneadryas. Possibly closer to Eopsaltria species than to current congeners; further study required. Monotypic. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Distribution:
- Scattered localities in New Guinea, including Batanta I, Wandammen Mts, Bomberai Peninsula, Weyland Mts, Astrolabe Bay, L Kutubu, Mt Bosavi, Karimui, and several localities in SE (e.g. R Angabunga-R Goldie area).
Primary foothill forest and hill forest, at 100- 1450 m, altitudinal range at any single locality usually not more than 700 m, sometimes much less; from W to E, 850- 880 m on Batanta I, 710- 1450 m at Wandammen Mts, 300- 1000 m at Weyland Mts (where much more common at lower altitudes), and 100- 350 m in region between R Angabunga and Goldie. Frequents most shaded parts of forest with relatively open understorey.
Insects. Usually found 0,6- 1,5 m from ground, occasionally lower, rarely higher. Captures prey by pouncing from perch on to ground or fallen debris; also by making sally- strikes, but only occasionally by aerial flycatching. Food taken to a horizontal perch, where it is beaten before being consumed.
Few data; only two completed nests and a one incomplete one described. Adults with enlarged gonads in Jul and immatures seen in Jun- Jul at one site; elsewhere, fully feathered nestling on 22nd Aug and small nestling at end Sept. possible territorial dispute between two pairs involves short chases and calling. Nest a shallow bowl finely woven from epiphyte roots and similar plant material, with moss on outside, one with external diameter 9 cm, internal diameter 5 cm, another with internal depth c. 1 cm, placed 0,75- 2,1 m up on side branch of low understorey tree or sapling. No other information.