Fairy Gerygone
A species of Australasian Warblers Scientific name : Gerygone palpebrosa Genus : Australasian Warblers
Fairy Gerygone, A species of Australasian Warblers
Botanical name: Gerygone palpebrosa
Genus: Australasian Warblers
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Nigel Voaden
Description
Adult birds have olive upperparts and yellow underparts, brownish tails, short black bills and legs, and red eyes. The male has a black throat. The subspecies flavida can be distinguished from subspecies personata by the white tip of its tail.
Size
12 cm
Feeding Habits
Fairy Gerygone feed primarily on insects, actively foraging in foliage from canopy to near ground, often in middle to upper levels. Mainly consumes insects from leaves and bark, and displays unique sallying and mutual chasing behaviors. Regularly joins mixed-species feeding flocks.
Habitat
The fairy Gerygone typically inhabits the peripheral areas of tropical rainforests, transitional zones adjoining different habitats, and dense vegetation near water sources such as riverbanks. These birds are often found in vine thickets and ecotones along tracks within these environments, and also reside in forested islets located off the northeastern coast of New Guinea.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Behavior
Male fairy gerygones hold themselves erect and sing a loud melodious song when they hear the calls of predators, particularly their main predator the black butcherbird. The purpose for this is unclear, though it is possibly a form of advertising to potential mates, promoting the male's prowess at singing in times of danger. The fairy gerygone nests near wasp nests, possibly to keep itself safe from predators.
Distribution Area
It is found in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. The fairy gerygone is listed by the IUCN as being of Least Concern. No particular threats have been identified and the bird has a wide range and stable population.
Photo By Nigel Voaden
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Australasian warblers Genus
Australasian Warblers Species
Fairy Gerygone