Black Pitohui

The Mohrenpitohui ( Pitohui nigrescens ) is a species of bird in the family of bullheads ( Pachycephalidae ). It occurs in six subspecies in New Guinea.

Features

The Mohrenpitohui reached a size of 23 centimeters. The weight is 73-86 grams. The male of the nominate form has a completely slate black body. The apex and the sides of the head are slightly darker. On the flanks of the slate color is more intense. The shield feathers and the tail feathers are black brown. the iris is dark brown or grayish brown. The beak and legs are black. In the female of the nominate of the vertices is slate brown. The forehead and the reins are a little grayer.

Subspecies and their distribution

• P. nigrescens n ( Schlegel, 1871). Distribution: Vogelkop Peninsula ( Tamrau Mountains, Arfak mountains) in north-western New Guinea
• P. n schistaceus ( Reichenow, 1900). Distribution: southeastern New Guinea east of the Duke Mountains.
• P. n harterti ( Reichenow, 1911). Distribution: Huon Peninsula ( Saruwaged Mountains ) in the north-eastern New Guinea. Named after Ernst Hartert.
• P. n meeki ( Rothschild & Hartert, 1913). Distribution: Mountains in western New Guinea ( Weyland rank, rank and Oranje Nassau Ranges). Named after Albert Stewart Meek.
• P. n buergersi ( Stresemann, 1922). Origin: East Central New Guinea ( Sepik Mountains and Hindenburg Mountains to Mount Hagen)
• P. n wandamensis ( Hartert, 1930). Distribution: Wandammen Peninsula in Western New Guinea

Habitat

The Mohrenpitohui inhabited forests in middle mountain areas, mainly at altitudes 1600-2000 m.

Way of life

The Mohrenpitohui is a sedentary bird. The diet consists of insects and fruits and occasionally from seed. He goes between the floor and the lower tree layers in search of food. Information about reproductive behavior based on few observations. The cup-shaped nest is built high up in a tree fronds and fine rootlets. The one to two eggs are maroon or deep pink and have bright and dark brown and gray spots on.

Inventory and risk

Information on the size of the population are not available. The Mohrenpitohui is described as not common. BirdLife International classifies it as " not at risk " ( least concern ).