Bornean crested fireback facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bornean crested fireback |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Male | |
 |
|
| Female at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lophura
|
| Species: |
ignita
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The Bornean crested fireback (Lophura ignita) is a beautiful, medium-sized forest pheasant. You can find these birds in the forests of Borneo and the Bangka Belitung Islands. It is a special bird because it is the main example for its group, called Lophura.
For a long time, this bird was just called the "crested fireback." But in 2023, scientists decided to separate it from another similar bird, the Malayan crested fireback (L. rufa). Now, they are recognized as two different species.
Contents
What Does a Bornean Crested Fireback Look Like?
Male and Female Differences
Male Bornean crested firebacks are quite striking! They can grow up to 70 centimeters (about 27 inches) long. They have a dark, peacock-like crest on their head. Their feathers are mostly bluish-black, with a reddish-brown area on their back (called the rump). Their outer tail feathers are black. They also have bright red eyes and bare blue skin on their face.
Female Bornean crested firebacks look a bit different. They are mostly brown and have a shorter crest on their head. Like the males, they have blue skin on their face. Their chest and belly feathers are spotted with black and white.
Where Do They Live?
Home in Borneo and Bangka
The Bornean crested fireback lives in two main places. One is the large island of Borneo, which is shared by several countries. The other is Bangka Island, part of the Bangka Belitung Islands in Indonesia.
Scientists have identified two main types, or subspecies, of the Bornean crested fireback. These are L. i. ignita, sometimes called the lesser Bornean crested fireback, and L. i. nobilis, known as the greater Bornean crested fireback. Both of these types have brown feathers in the middle of their tail and whitish legs.
Scientists sometimes change how they classify animals. For example, the Malayan crested fireback used to be considered the same species as the Bornean one. But in 2023, after looking closely at their feathers, scientists decided they were different species. Female Bornean crested firebacks (both L. i. ignita and L. i. nobilis) have dark, blackish tails and whitish legs. The female Malayan crested fireback (L. rufa) has a chestnut brown tail and red legs.
What Do They Eat?
A Varied Diet
Bornean crested firebacks are not picky eaters! Their diet mainly includes different kinds of plants and fruits. They also enjoy eating small animals they find in the forest.
Family Life
Laying Eggs
When it's time to lay eggs, a female Bornean crested fireback usually lays between four and eight eggs. These eggs are a creamy white color.
Are They in Danger?
Protecting the Species
Sadly, the Bornean crested fireback is considered a Vulnerable animal. This means their numbers are decreasing, and they could be in danger of disappearing if we don't help them.
The main reasons they are vulnerable are:
- Habitat loss: Their forest homes are being cut down for farming, logging, and other human activities.
- Overhunting: In some areas, too many of these birds are hunted.
Organizations like the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species keep track of animals like the Bornean crested fireback. They help us know which animals need our protection the most. By protecting their forests and stopping overhunting, we can help these beautiful pheasants survive.
