Norfolk triller
| Norfolk triller | |
|---|---|
| |
| Illustration by Henrik Gronvold | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Campephagidae |
| Genus: | Lalage |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | L. l. leucopyga
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| Trinomial name | |
| Lalage leucopyga leucopyga (Gould, 1838)
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The Norfolk triller (Lalage leucopyga leucopyga) was a small passerine bird in the cuckooshrike family, Campephagidae. It is the extinct nominate subspecies of the long-tailed triller which was endemic to Norfolk Island, an Australian territory in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. Little is known of its biology.
Description
[edit]
The Norfolk triller was similar to other subspecies of the long-tailed triller, though it was slightly larger and had a richer buff wash on the underparts and rump and a broader white tip to the outer rectrices.[1]
Behaviour
[edit]Breeding
[edit]Breeding was recorded in September, with eggs in December and February. Nests were shallow and cup-shaped, made of lichen, moss and fibrous roots, and lined with finer material. The clutch was usually two eggs.[1]
Extinction
[edit]Despite being recorded as 'abundant' in 1941,[2] the triller was last recorded in 1942. The cause of its extinction was probably predation by black rats combined with clearance of its habitat, Norfolk Island's native subtropical rainforest.[1]
There are specimens of this bird held in the museums at Leiden, Vienna, Tring and in the H. L. White Collection at Melbourne.[1][3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Higgins, P.J.; Cowlin, SJ (2006). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 7: Boatbill to Starlings. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. p. 353. ISBN 0-19-553996-6.
- ^ Alan Tennyson (2006). Extinct Birds of New Zealand. Illustrator: Paul Martinson (1st ed.). Wellington: Te Papa Press. ISBN 978-0-909010-21-8. OL 16144703M. Wikidata Q63353412.
- ^ Naturalis: Campephagidae - Norfolk Long-tailed Triller
External links
[edit]- "Norfolk Island Triller Lalage leucopyga" by Paul Martinson. Artwork produced for the book Extinct Birds of New Zealand, by Alan Tennyson, Te Papa Press, Wellington, 2006
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