Megalurus albolimbatus d'Albertis & Salvadori, 1879

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Range Description:

Megalurus albolimbatus is known from a few localities in the Trans-Fly region of New Guinea (Papua, formerly Irian Jaya, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea), including Wasur National Park, small areas along the Bensbach River and a handful of sites on the middle Fly River (Coates 1990, Gregory and Jaensch 1995, N.Stronach in litt. 1996). It is thought to have a patchy, perhaps relict, distribution, but may prove to be more widespread in the largely unsurveyed Trans-Fly or on Pulau Dolak (=Frederick Henderik Island) (P.Gregory in litt. 1996, K.D.Bishop in litt. 1999). It is reported to be locally numerous in tiny scattered areas (Coates 1990, N.Stronach in litt. 1996) but most recent records in Papua New Guinea have been of very few individuals (Finch 1980, Eastwood and Gregory 1995, Gregory and Jaensch 1995).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22715497

Range:

SE New Guinea (Fly River lowlands).

  • Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCornell Laboratory of Ornithology
SourceNo source database.

Distribution:

    C region of R Fly (L Daviumbu, L Owa, L Pangua) and middle R Bensbach, in S New Guinea.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorKaterina Tvardikova
Sourcehttp://pngbirds.myspecies.info/node/406

14- 15 cm; c. 14 g

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorKaterina Tvardikova
Sourcehttp://pngbirds.myspecies.info/node/406

A colorful little grassbird with bright reddish crown and rump. Has lores and supercilium buffish- white, ear – coverts grey- buff; crown and upperparts reddish- cinnamon, mantle and scapulars with bold black streaking; wings reddish- brown with blackish feather centres, tertials black- centred, with white border on both webs (showing as white panel on closed wing); tail dusky brown, feathers edged reddish- brown; malar region, throat and central underparts white, buffy wash on breast becomes warmer buff on flanks and undertail- coverts; iris brown, paler on lower mandible; legs pinkish- brown. Differs from M. timoriensis in relatively shorter and more round- tipped tail, unstreaked crown, white wingpanel, more obvious pale supercilium. Sexes similar, male somewhat larger than female. Juvenile resembles adult.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorKaterina Tvardikova
Sourcehttp://pngbirds.myspecies.info/content/megalurus-albolimbatus

Habitat and Ecology:

Habitat and Ecology

It is apparently highly specialised in its breeding habitat requirements. On the Fly River, it inhabits a mixture of reeds, floating grass and lotus lilies growing on deep waterways and lakes (Rand 1938, Gregory and Jaensch 1995). On the Bensbach River, it inhabits thick stands of sedge Cyperus, which are absent from the middle Fly sites, on the fringes of the lower river and its bays and inlets (Finch 1980). It is replaced by Clamorous Reed-warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus in other habitats such as the much more extensive Phragmites reedbeds (N.Stronach in litt. 1996). Birds breed during the dry season and may have more catholic habitat requirements in the flooded, non-breeding season.

Systems

  • Terrestrial
  • Freshwater
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/22715497

Lowland swamps. Favours a combination of reeds (Phragmites) and floating mats of Echinochloa and Leersia grasses in water depth of 2- 4 m; on R Bensbach where this habitat unavailable, found in extensive stands of Cyperus sedge.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorKaterina Tvardikova
Sourcehttp://pngbirds.myspecies.info/node/406

No information on food items; most likely tiny invertebrates. Keeps well hidden, low down in reeds, close to waterline, where slips neatly among stalks; rarely ventures into open, although occasionally comes out on to floating lotus- lily (Nymphaeaceae) pads. Typically seen only when flushed by boat; flight low for just a few metres, but not always disappearing completely, and sometimes perches up to view intruder

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorKaterina Tvardikova
Sourcehttp://pngbirds.myspecies.info/node/406

Range:

SE New Guinea (Fly River lowlands).

  • Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.7. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorCornell Laboratory of Ornithology
SourceNo source database.

Poorly known. Breeds during May- Nov dry season, when water levels most stable. Nest a ball of interwoven dry grasses, entrance hole at side near top, placed close to base of grass stand or near edge of lagoon, usually 0- 6 m above water level. Clutch 3 eggs. No other information.

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorKaterina Tvardikova
Sourcehttp://pngbirds.myspecies.info/node/406
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith