Arafura shrikethrush facts for kids

The Arafura shrikethrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) is a type of bird. It belongs to a bird family called Pachycephalidae. These birds are known for their strong voices and often live in forests.

About the Arafura Shrikethrush

This bird gets its name from the Arafura Sea, which is near where it lives. It's a small to medium-sized bird. Like other shrikethrushes, it has a strong bill. This helps it find food in its forest home.

Bird Families and Species

Scientists group living things into different families and species. This helps them understand how creatures are related. The Arafura shrikethrush was once thought to be part of another bird group. This group was called the "little shrikethrush complex."

New Discoveries About This Bird

New studies looked closely at the genes of these birds. These studies focused on birds living in New Guinea. The results showed that the Arafura shrikethrush was quite different. It was so different that scientists decided it should be its own species. This means it's a unique type of bird.

Different Kinds of Arafura Shrikethrushes

Even within one species, there can be slight differences. These different groups are called subspecies. Currently, scientists recognize three subspecies of the Arafura shrikethrush:

• C. m. megarhyncha: This group was first described by scientists Quoy and Gaimard in 1832. You can find them on islands like Salawati and Misool. These islands are off the coast of northwestern New Guinea. They also live in the Aru Islands and on the main island of New Guinea.
• C. m. parvula: This subspecies was described by John Gould in 1845. It was first thought to be a completely separate species. This group lives in northern Australia. You can find them in north-eastern Western Australia and the northern part of the Northern Territory.
• C. m. aruensis: This group was described by G.R. Gray in 1858. They live in the Aru Islands. They also live in the Trans-Fly region of southern New Guinea.

Where They Live

The Arafura shrikethrush lives in two main places. These are New Guinea and Australia.

Their Forest Homes

These birds prefer certain types of forests. Their natural habitats include:

• Subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests: These are warm, wet forests found in low-lying areas.
• Subtropical or tropical moist montane forests: These are also warm and wet, but they are found in mountain areas.

They like places with lots of trees and moisture. This helps them find food and shelter.

See also

In Spanish: Picanzo chico para niños