Telacanthura

Baobabsegler ( Telacanthura ussheri ) drawn by John Gerrard Keulemans

Telacanthura (also Telecanthura ) is a small bird genus in the family of sailors ( Apodidae ). The distribution of the two species of the genus is restricted to Africa. It is quite a large representatives of the tribe Chaeturini.

Features

The body length is between 14 centimeters and 15 centimeters at the Baobabsegler Iturisegler. The significantly scale-like pattern of the throat is a unique feature of this genus. This pattern is formed by springs which are pale and dark at the end in the middle. The plumage of the Iturisegler is out of this lighter throat area very dark black-brown, while the Baobabsegler is colored brownish and other lighter areas indicates rump and belly.

The toes are arranged anisodactyl. The straight cut tail is comparatively long for representatives of the tribe Chaeturini that are "tail spikes " that go beyond the flags of feathers protruding quills, clearly developed.

System

The species of this genus were originally attributed to the genus Chaetura, in the course of 1970 by RK Brooke standing division of the genus Chaetura the Telacanthura species were an independent genus.

The following types are attributed to the genus:

• Baobabsegler ( Telacanthura usheri )
• Iturisegler ( Telacanthura melanopygia )