New Britain bronzewing facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New Britain bronzewing
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Henicophaps
Species:	H. foersteri
Binomial name
Henicophaps foersteri Rothschild & Hartert, 1906
Distribution of the New Britain Bronzewing
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The New Britain bronzewing (Henicophaps foersteri) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the Columbidae family, which includes pigeons and doves. This bird lives only in Papua New Guinea, making it an endemic species.

Sadly, the New Britain bronzewing is facing challenges. In 1988, experts thought it was "near threatened," meaning it might become endangered. By 2000, its situation worsened, and it was listed as "vulnerable." This means it's at high risk of becoming endangered in the wild.

What Does the New Britain Bronzewing Look Like?

This unique bird is about 38 centimetres (15 in) long, which is roughly the length of a ruler. Its wings can spread about 20.5 centimetres (8.1 in) wide. The tail is about 13.7 centimetres (5.4 in) long, and its bill is about 3 centimetres (1.2 in).

The New Britain bronzewing has a light, buff-colored forehead. The top of its head, called the crown, is reddish-brown. Its eyes and bill are dark. The feathers on its back and upper body are dark brown. Its chin, throat, and ear feathers are a creamy white color.

Some of its wing feathers, called coverts, are really pretty. They have a metallic golden-green shine. Other wing feathers are a dark maroon color. The feathers near its tail, called tertials, have a beautiful blue shimmer.

This bird also has a distinct call. It makes a sound that repeats, like "pip-yia." The "yia" part of the call is higher pitched than the "pip."

Where Do New Britain Bronzewings Live?

The New Britain bronzewing is found only in Papua New Guinea. This means it's native to just that one place in the world.

These birds prefer to live in forests. They can be found in both very old forests and forests that are growing back after being cut down. They live in lowland areas, usually up to 700 metres (2,300 ft) above sea level.

Why Are These Birds Vulnerable?

As mentioned, the New Britain bronzewing was first listed as "near threatened" in 1988. By 2000, its status changed to "vulnerable." This change happened because there aren't many of these birds left. Experts believe there are fewer than 5,000 of them.

Their numbers are likely decreasing because their habitat is being lost. Forests where they live are being cut down or changed, making it harder for them to survive. This bird is considered quite rare.

To help protect them, some New Britain bronzewings have been seen in special places called the Poikili and Garu Wildlife Protection Areas. These areas are set aside to keep wildlife safe.