New Zealand Rockwren

Rock panties ( Xenicus gilviventris )

The rock panties ( Piwauwau, Xenicus gilviventris ), is a species of bird in the family of Maori panties ( Acanthisittidae ). In the English -speaking world, the type is also known as a skirt or as South Iceland Wren Wren to them ( English Rock Wren ) from the unrelated Rock Wren to distinguish from North America.

Dissemination

The species is endemic to New Zealand. The occurrence is limited today to alpine areas of the South Island, the fossil record show, however an earlier occurrence on the North Island. He is the rarer of the two not yet extinct species of the genus Maori panties and is threatened by introduced mammals. As the only surviving species of the genus Xenicus one assumes a close relationship with the formerly widespread forest panties. As this and the green panties he is a bad pilot who flies rarely higher than 2 meters or more than 30 meters.

Description

The bird reached a size of 10 centimeters. The male is on the upper side dull green and has yellow pages. The ventral side is gray-brown. The female is more olive green colored. The bird has long legs and a thin, black bill.

Way of life

He lives on the ground and finds its food in low bushes, boulders and rockslides the alpine zone. He shows a typical behavior in which he violently and abwippt.