Gymnocrex plumbeiventris
Bare orbital skin pink,eyering is salmon or reddish, long bill, axillaries and underwing-coverts barred greyish black or white, much individual variation in plumage. Sexes alike. A distinctively plumaged rail, similar in overall colouring and pattern to AAramides rail. All similar sympatric rails have barring on underparts, except Amarournis olivacea, which is olive brown above and grey below. Voice: Loud gulping ‘wow-wow-wow-wow’only hear at start of wet season and probably a territorial call.
Not Threatened.
Bare orbital skin pink,eyering is salmon or reddish, long bill, axillaries and underwing-coverts barred greyish black or white, much individual variation in plumage. Sexes alike. A distinctively plumaged rail, similar in overall colouring and pattern to AAramides rail. All similar sympatric rails have barring on underparts, except Amarournis olivacea, which is olive brown above and grey below. Voice: Loud gulping ‘wow-wow-wow-wow’only hear at start of wet season and probably a territorial call.
30-33 cm, estimated 300 g
Taxonomy:
- Rallus plumbeiventris G. R. Gray, 1862, Misool Island, off north-west New Guinea. Sometimes placed in Eulabeornis, but has more in common with Aramides. Validity of subspecies questionable. Two subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * plumbeiventris (G. R. Gray, 1862) - N Moluccas, Misool, Aru Is, New Guinea (except S), Karkar and New Ireland. * hoeveni (von Rosenberg, 1866) - Aru Is and S New Guinea (Setekwa R to Fly R).
Floor of primary forest, also marshy forest, swamps and wet grassy areas near rivers and lakes, Occurs in lowland, up to 1200 m. In E NG also recorded at 1600 m.
Eats insect, probably also a variety of other small animals. Seen to attack a Common Paradise Kingfisher which has digging for food.
Breeds in wet season. Territorial at least when breeding. Occurs in pairs or family parties. Sedentary, locally nomadic in PNG.
