Obi paradise-crow
Illustration by William Matthew Hart
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paradisaeidae
Genus: Lycocorax
Species:
L. obiensis
Binomial name
Lycocorax obiensis
Bernstein, 1865

The Obi paradise-crow (Lycocorax obiensis) is a species of paradise-crow in the family Paradiseaidae along with the birds-of-paradise. This bird was split from its congener, the Halmahera paradise-crow (L. pyrrhopterus) in 2016.[1] The species was first described and named by Heinrich Agathon Bernstein in 1865.

Etymology

The Obi paradise-crow's scientific name is Lycocorax obiensis, consisting of Lycocorax, meaning "jackdaw-crow", which refers to its overall crow-like appearance of a jackdaw, and obiensis which refers to the Obi Islands where the birds are found.

Description

Obi paradise-crows are blackish overall, with a bluish-green sheen/iridescence to the feathers. The flight feathers are a light brownish, and the tail feathers have a pronounced bluish sheen to them. They have a crow-like head and bill; the bill is a cool light gray. Also, they have distinctive and beautiful, scarlet-red eyes and blackish to grayish legs and feet with sharp claws adapted for their perching lifestyles.

The calls of this bird sounds reminiscent of a trumpet-like hwoot hwoot, followed by a click click. The calls of the Obi paradise-crow is one of the most recognizable sounds in its range.

Behavior and ecology

The biology of this bird has not been studied in full detail. Their diets consist predominantly of fruits, supplemented by the occasional invertebrate. The birds typically feed solitarily, but also in pairs, small groups and even in association with other bird species, like imperial pigeons.[2]

Its breeding period is not defined, but nests and eggs have been recorded from December to June.[2] The nest is a cup-like shape consisting of moss, leaves, vines, and wood chips. Clutch is one egg. Incubation and chick rearing details unknown..[2]

Habitat and distribution

The Obi paradise-crow is found on Obi and Bisa islands in the Obi group, south of Halmahera, the home of its congener. They are found in tropical forest and forest edge at 1200 m in altitude on Obi island.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Lycocorax obiensis: BirdLife International". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. October 1, 2016. October 1, 2016. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t103728215a104102159.en.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Obi Paradise-crow (Lycocorax obiensis)". Handbook of the Birds of the World. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
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