Black-throated whipbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-throated whipbird |
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| Conservation status | |
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Psophodes
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| Species: |
nigrogularis
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The black-throated whipbird (Psophodes nigrogularis) is a cool bird that lives in Southwest Australia. It's mostly olive green. This bird used to be considered the same species as the white-bellied whipbird. Because of this, they both share the common name "western whipbird".
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What is the Black-throated Whipbird?
The black-throated whipbird is a type of passerine bird. This means it's a perching bird, like many songbirds you might see. It lives in different areas across Southwest Australia.
Naming the Black-throated Whipbird
The English bird expert John Gould first described this bird in 1844. He gave it its scientific name, Psophodes nigrogularis. This scientific name is also called a binomial name. It's a two-part name used by scientists all over the world.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the black-throated whipbird. Both of these groups are facing some threats.
- Psophodes nigrogularis nigrogularis: This subspecies lives in heathlands in the west. It is now only found in a small area east of Albany. A lot of its original home was cleared away. This subspecies is considered Endangered.
- P. n. oberon: This subspecies lives in mallee areas in the west. You can find it in different spots between the Stirling Ranges and Ravensthorpe. It seems to be common in the Fitzgerald River National Park. This subspecies is considered Rare.
Black-throated vs. White-bellied Whipbird
The white-bellied whipbird (Psophodes leucogaster) was once thought to be the same species as the black-throated whipbird. However, in 2017, scientists studied their mitochondrial DNA. This is like looking at their genetic code. Based on these studies, the white-bellied whipbird was recognized as its own separate species.
To help tell them apart, some bird checklists call this bird the western whipbird (black-throated). This helps avoid confusion with the white-bellied whipbird.
What Does the Black-throated Whipbird Look Like?
The black-throated whipbird is a slender bird. It is about 21 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches) long. It has an olive-green body. Its throat is black, and it has a thin white patch on its cheek. This white patch is outlined in black.
The bird also has a small crest on its head. Its long tail is dark olive-green with a white tip. The feathers on its belly are a lighter olive color. Its beak and feet are black. Young whipbirds look a bit different. They are a duller olive-brown. They also do not have the white cheek stripes or the dark throat.
Nests and Eggs
Black-throated whipbirds usually breed in the spring. They build a nest that looks like a bowl. They use twigs and sticks for the outside. Inside, they line it with softer materials like grasses. They usually place their nests in shrubs or trees. These nests are often low to the ground, about 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) high.
A female whipbird typically lays two eggs. The eggs are pale blue. They have blackish splotches and spots on them. Each egg is about 26 by 19 millimeters (1 by 0.75 inches) in size.
See also
In Spanish: Zordala crestada occidental para niños
