Sunda forktail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sunda forktail |
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Enicurus
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| Species: |
velatus
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The Sunda forktail (Enicurus velatus) is a special type of bird that belongs to the Muscicapidae family. These birds are found only in Indonesia. They live on the islands of Java and Sumatra.
You can usually find Sunda forktails near streams with lots of rocks. They prefer tropical forests high up in the mountains, usually between 600 and 2000 meters above sea level. Sometimes, they can be seen closer to the ocean. These birds are common in Sumatra. However, they are a bit rarer in Java, where another bird called the white-crowned forktail is more often seen.
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Discovering the Sunda Forktail
The Sunda forktail was officially described in 1822. A Dutch scientist named Coenraad Jacob Temminck was the first to write about and draw this bird. He gave it the scientific name Enicurus velatus.
The second part of its name, velatus, comes from Latin. It means "veiled," which might refer to some of its features.
Different Types of Sunda Forktails
Scientists recognize two main types, or subspecies, of the Sunda forktail:
- E. v. sumatranus was identified by Robinson and Kloss in 1923. This type lives in the mountains of Sumatra.
- E. v. velatus was identified by Temminck in 1822. This type is found in the mountains of Java.
What Does a Sunda Forktail Look Like?
The Sunda forktail is about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) long. It has a tail that splits deeply, looking like a fork.
Male and Female Birds
Male Sunda forktails have a white chest, belly, and rump. Their wings are black, and their back and head are a dark grey color. They also have a small white line right between their eyes. Their tail is black with white stripes.
Female Sunda forktails look very similar to the males. The main difference is that females have a brown crown (the top of their head) and nape (the back of their neck).
Differences Between Subspecies
The type of Sunda forktail found on Java is called the "nominate race." The Sumatran subspecies, sumatranus, has more reddish-brown color on the female birds.
When these birds call, they make a sharp, high-pitched sound. It often sounds like "chee" or "hie-tie-tie."
Sunda Forktail Behavior and Life Cycle
Sunda forktails are good at finding food in their watery homes. They mostly eat insects that live in the water, along with their young (larvae). They also enjoy eating snails.
Nesting and Eggs
When it's time to build a nest, the Sunda forktail creates a large, cup-shaped home. They weave it together using mosses, grasses, leaves, and wood fibers. Inside this cozy nest, the female bird usually lays two eggs. These eggs are whitish in color and have red spots on them.
