New Caledonia Grassbird

Taxobox
name = New Caledonia Grassbird
status = NT
status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
subclassis = Neornithes
infraclassis = Neognathae
superordo = Neoaves
ordo = Passeriformes
subordo = Passeri
infraordo = Passerida
superfamilia = Sylvioidea
familia = Megaluridae (see text)
genus = "Megalurulus"
species = "M. mariei"
binomial = "Megalurulus mariei"
binomial_authority = Verreaux, 1869
synonyms =

The New Caledonia Grassbird ("Megalurulus mariei"), also known as the New Caledonia Thicketbird, is a bird species. Previously placed in the in the "Old World Warbler" family Sylviidae, it does not seem to be a close relative of the typical warblers; probably it belongs in the newly-recognized grass-warbler family Megaluridae. This species is endemic to New Caledonia.

This is a long-tailed, medium sized "warbler" with a distinctive bold white supercillium. The bird’s plumage is unstreaked, with olive-brown uppersides (including the crown and wings) and creamy white undersides.

The New Caledonia Grassbird typically inhabits scrubby areas in the lowlands and hills of New Caledonia, particularly "maquis minier" with ferns, but also secondary forest and grasslands, and has even been seen in dense rainforest. It is generally solitary or seen in pairs and is non-migratory. The New Caledonian Grassbird favours dense cover and is retiring in its habits and is a difficult bird to observe or study.

ource

* BirdLife International 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/40375/all Megalurulus mariei] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 10 July 2007.