Bugun Liocichla
A species of Liocichlas Scientific name : Liocichla bugunorum Genus : Liocichlas
Bugun Liocichla, A species of Liocichlas
Botanical name: Liocichla bugunorum
Genus: Liocichlas
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Rofikul Islam
Description
The Bugun liocichla is a small babbler (20 cm (7.9 in)) with olive-grey plumage and a black cap. The face is marked with prominent orange-yellow lores, and the wings have yellow, red and white patches. The tail is black with crimson coloured undertail coverts and red tips. The feet are pink and the bill is black at the face fading to pale white. A second duller individual was mist netted, which was probably the female. The voice is described as fluty and distinctive. A study of the evolution of the species within the genus Liocichla based on mitochondrial DNA sequence similarity showed that the species is most closely related to L. omeiensis with the Hengduan Mountains possibly acting as the isolating barrier between the two.
Size
22 cm
Feeding Habits
Bugun Liocichla consume small berries and engage in versatile foraging, from ground to canopy. Typically they forage in pairs or small groups, often with other species. They exhibit varied methods, including ground foraging and climbing trunks.
Habitat
The bugun Liocichla typically inhabits disturbed hillside and ravine environments characterized by dense shrubbery and an array of small to medium-sized trees that remain following timber extraction. It has also been observed on the periphery of primary forests, indicating a degree of adaptability to various vegetation structures within its broader montane forest ecosystem.
Dite type
Frugivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
All sightings of the species have been at an altitude of 2,000 m (6,600 ft) on disturbed hillsides covered with shrubs and small trees, with the exception of one sighting on the edge of primary forest. It lives in a territory similar to that of the Emei Shan liocichla. Small flocks were observed during January, whereas pairs were observed in May, with an estimated total of 14 individuals. It is thought that pairs may hold and defend territories. The Bugun liocichla is only currently known from just one location. Populations may be discovered in other areas of Arunachal Pradesh or neighbouring Bhutan. Attempts have been made to identify new locations where the species could occur based on identification of suitable habitats using computational models.
Species Status
For a "spectacular bird" with distinctive calls to have been overlooked until 1995 suggests that the species is not common. Only three breeding pairs are currently known and is listed as critically endangered. While the species is capable of living in degraded forests, its small population is considered threatened, especially in the light of plans to build a highway through an area thought to be its primary habitat.
Photo By Rofikul Islam
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Laughingthrushes Genus
Liocichlas Species
Bugun Liocichla