Grey-tailed Piha
A species of andean Green Pihas Scientific name : Snowornis subalaris Genus : andean Green Pihas
Grey-tailed Piha, A species of andean Green Pihas
Botanical name: Snowornis subalaris
Genus: andean Green Pihas
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Dubi Shapiro
Description
The grey-tailed piha grows to a length of about 23 cm (9 in). Both sexes have a dull grey head with a narrow, pale yellow ring of bare skin surrounding the eye. The upper parts are olive-green with a greyish rump and a plain grey tail. The underparts are pale olive green with lighter streaks and a pale grey belly. The underwing coverts are pale yellow. This bird could be confused with the olivaceous piha (Snowornis cryptolophus), but it has a yellower belly and an olive rather than a grey tail.
Size
23 cm
Habitat
The grey-tailed Piha predominantly resides in the under- and midstory layers of humid montane forests. These areas are characterized by dense vegetation and a moist climate, providing a rich ecosystem for the species. Found in broad geographical regions of neotropical zones, their habitat supports a diverse array of flora and fauna, crucial for the grey-tailed Piha's survival.
Dite type
Frugivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
The grey-tailed piha occurs on the eastern slope of the Andes range, in southern Colombia, Ecuador and Peru at altitudes between about 600 and 1,400 m (2,000 and 4,600 ft). It is generally a rare or uncommon bird and is found in the middle and lower parts of the canopy. It is an elusive bird, remaining still for long periods and blending in with the branches. It is usually solitary, but may occasionally join a mixed species foraging group. It feeds mainly on insects, but may also consume fruits, sometimes flying out from its perch, where it sits unmoving for long periods, to catch an insect in the air or hover to glean insects from foliage.
Species Status
Because of current and future deforestation in the Amazon Basin, the population is expected to decline by 25-30% over the next three generations, causing this species to be listed as near threatened.
Photo By Dubi Shapiro
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Cotingas Genus
andean Green Pihas Species
Grey-tailed Piha