Orange-crowned Fairywren

Orange-crowned Fairy-wren
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Maluridae
Genus:	Clytomyias Sharpe, 1879
Species:	C. insignis
Binomial name
Clytomyias insignis Sharpe, 1879

The Orange-crowned Fairy-wren (Clytomyias insignis) is a species of bird in the Maluridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Clytomyias.^{[citation needed]} It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.

First collected in the Arfak Mountains, the Orange-crowned Fairywren was described by Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1879.^[1] Molecular study indicates it forms a clade with the emu-wrens of the genus Stipiturus.^[2] Two subspecies are recognised, the nominate subspecies insignis from the Bird's Head Peninsula in far western New Guinea, and subspecies oorti from the highlands of central New Guinea, ranging from western Irian Jaya to the Owen Stanley Range of southeastern Papua New Guinea.^[3] The latter was described in 1907 by Rothschild and Hartert.^[1]

Unlike many other species of fairywren, there is no sexual dimorphism: the male and female have the same plumage. The head is a rusty orange colour, the thighs and tail rufous, the back olive brown and the wings brown. The bill is relatively broad compared with other fairywrens and is black in colour. The eyes are dark brown, and the legs pinkish brown. The two subspecies are distinguishable by their underparts, which are cream-white in insignis and more ochre-coloured in oorti.^[1]

The Orange-crowned Fairywren is found in thick undergrowth of montane rainforest at an altitude of 2000–3000 m (6–10,000 ft). It is generally encountered in pairs or small groups of six to eight birds. Very little is known about its courtship behaviour or breeding.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Rowley & Russell, p. 199.
2. ^ Christidis L, Schodde R (1997). (abstract) "Relationships within the Australo-Papuan Fairy-wrens (Aves: Malurinae): an evaluation of the utility of allozyme data". Australian Journal of Zoology 45 (2): 113–129. doi:10.1071/ZO96068. http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=ZO96068 (abstract). Retrieved 2007-09-20. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Rowley & Russell, p. 201.

Cited text

• Rowley, Ian; Russell, Eleanor (1997). Bird Families of the World: Fairywrens and Grasswrens. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-854690-4. 
• BirdLife International 2004. Clytomyias insignis.2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 25 July 2007.
• Del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 9788496553422

External links

• Image at ADW