Asity

Gelbbauchjala ( Philepitta schlegeli ), top: male, middle: adult female, bottom: young females.

The Lappenpittas ( Philepittidae ) or Jalas are a family in the order of perching birds ( Passeriformes ). There are four species which are divided into two genera. Lappenpittas are exclusively found in Madagascar, they are poorly understood and we know very little about them. They live solitary and inhabit the dense undergrowth of forests. Your body is small and compact, but sturdy. Striking are the short tail and long legs. The Malagasy name is Asity. He is partially received in the Anglo-Saxon and French usage.

Genera and species

• Genus Neodrepanis Pink-footed Nektarjala ( Neodrepanis hypoxanthus ): This Jala you know extremely little, you know only a few specimens from eastern Madagascar.
• Long -billed Nektarjala ( Neodrepanis coruscans ): In contrast to the pink-footed Nektarjala the Long -billed Nektarjala is much better known. This little reminiscent only ten centimeters long and Treecreeper bird inhabited large parts of the island. He has a long, curved downward bill and feeds on insects, which he picked from the tree bark. The plumage is iridescent blue above and below dyed yellow. About his eyes, he wears two large flaps of skin.

• Gelbbauchjala ( Philepitta schlegeli ): This Jala is common in the west of the island and has larger yellow components in the plumage. Males are distinguished by a black head and black skin flaps.
• Seidenjala ( Philepitta castanea ): The Seidenjala occurs in the lowlands of the east. As a dietary presumably serve small fruits. The piston-like hanging nest has over the entrance to a small canopy. The female often lays three elongated, whitish eggs. The females are colored olivgrünlich, the males are black and have yellow spring ends. Above each eye is a long greenish skin flaps.