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Galliformes and other animals for South America
JOrnitho: Hello! I'm back with ideas for some new species for South America. I found in my computer an archive with some ideas for fauna and flora that I had some time ago and decided to show there to ask your opinion about them. The first is about a descendant of the domestic chicken. [more]Copper jacumitan (Jacumita cuprinus) Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Habitat: Savannas and woodlands of Central South America. During the Holocene, the man introduced many species in other continents. The jacumitan is a descendant of domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) that are introduced in South America. It replaced the birds in the family Cracidae, which are extinct in the Neocene, in some areas. In a matter of fact, the name jacumitan is the junction of the words jacu, the popular name in Brazil for guans of the Genus Penelope, and the tupi word mitã (mitan) that means new, this way the name means “new guan”. The copper jacumitan is the type species of this genus and lives in the savannas and woodlands of Central South America. The copper jacumitan is sexually dysmorphic. The male measure 190 cm, due to the long tail, it has a bright coppery brown upperbody plumage and reddish-brown feathers below. They also have metallic dark green feathers on the tail and wings. Only males have a bright red naked skin on the face, with two wattles that conceal the sides of its head. This characteristic is shared by all males of the genus Jacumita. The males of the genus also have crests formed by white feathers with black tips. During courtship and panic moments, they rise the crests. The females have 75 cm of length and are cryptic brown and adapted to camouflage, its naked skin on the face is pale pink and don’t have flesh wattles. The young males are similar to the females until they reach 9 weeks, at this time the wattle begin to develop. Both sexes have long orange colored legs and grey beak. The males have spurs that they use in fights for dominance. The neck is long and slim. Copper jacumitans can fly, but prefer to run from the predators flying only as last resort. These birds are omnivorous and feed on insects, seeds, and fruits. Its forage for food by scratching the ground, usually near herbivores this way there is other animals observing for the presence of predators. Often the male sits on a high perch, to serve as a lookout for his group. He sounds an alarm call if predators are nearby. At night it will sleep perched on branches. Copper jacumitans are polygamous; the male will have a harem with 5 to 12 females and will guards the area where his females are nesting, and attack other males that enter his territory. To initiate courting, the males will dance in a circle around or near a female, raising their crests and lowering the wing which is closest to the hen. Then, he will vocalize and when she responds to his call, the male will mount her and proceed with the mating. The females make their nest in the ground, laying 6 to 14 red eggs which are incubated for 22 days. Chicks are precocious, leaving the nest shortly they are born. They fledge in about 4 to 5 weeks, and at 13 weeks old are chased out of the group by their mother, at which point the young males start to form a harem and the females join an existing one. Sexual maturity is reached at 6 months and the lifespan of this species is of 13 years, however is common for males to die early due to predation. Other species in the genus Jacumita are: Golden jacumitan (Jacumita aurea) Living in the forests of the Atlantic coast of South America, the males of this species has 200 cm of length, from beak to tail, while the females have 83 cm. The plumage of the male have a bright golden-yellow plumage in the upperparts, being scarlet in the chest and belly. They have dark metallic green wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Red jacumitan (Jacumita amazonica) Living in the "terra firme" forests of the Amazon , the males of this species has 185 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 70 cm. The plumage of male is bright orange-red in the upperparts, while their chest and belly is yellow. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Andean jacumitan (Jacumita andina) Living in the highland forests in the slopes of the Andes, the males of this species has 170 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 68 cm. The plumage of the males is white in the upperparts and yellowish-red in the belly and chest. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. This other one is about a descendant of the californian quail: Common austral grouse (Tetraoinus australis) Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae Habitat: Forests of Southern South America During the Holocene, the man introduced many exotic species different habitats, the ancestor of the austral grouse was one of these species. Their ancestor was not a true grouse, but the Californian quail, due to evolutionary convergence they acquired characteristics similar to the true grouses of North America. Living in the forests of Southern South America, the male austral grouse are 55 cm long and the female have 44 cm of length. The male have a dark grey body plumage, black-and-white bridled head pattern, black back and a greyish-blue belly. They have a curving crest or plume, made of six feathers that droops forward (long and black in males /short and brown in females) and long forked blackish tail with white undertail coverts. Females and immature birds are mainly greyish-brown with a light-brown belly. Both sexes have a black bill and relatively long grey legs. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and leaves, but they also eat some berries and insects. In some regions their main source of food are the seeds of trees of the Genus Araucaria. These birds are not elegant fliers, however they sleep perched in branches. Given a choice, they will normally escape on foot. During the courtship, the male austral grouse do displays on a lek, each male have a “personal space”. The males strut around their chose space, doing a display. The display consists of the male posturing himself with the head near the ground. Then, they start to move it from right to left showing their crests, simultaneously they raising the tail feathers, showing their withe undertail coverts. After that, they will raise their heads abruptly and whilst make a highly distinctive mating call. When another male invade the personal space of other, a fight happens, in this case the male will try to take of the crest of the rival, this way they will not be capable to display for the females. The female usually lays approximately 12 spotted eggs. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with vegetation on the ground. Incubation lasts from 21–25 days, usually performed by the female and rarely by the male. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest with their parents within hours of hatching. The male stay with the female until the young leave, with 3 months. The young reach sexual maturity with 1 year, with this age the young males acquire the coloration of an adult male. Their lifespan is of 27 years. In the forests of Tierra del Fuego another species lives, the Black boreal grouse (Tetraoinus nigrus). Their main difference to the other species is that the males have an all-black plumage, with only a faint shade of blue in the chest and brown undertail coverts. The females are similar to that of the common austral grouse. The males have 52 cm and the females 41 cm.[/more] I also have in this archive some names for possible species that I never developed bayond some few facts. Maybe someone could help me make their descriptions.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho What could be an interesting niche for a cuculid to have in South America? Most of the species here aren’t parasitic, so I was thinking if these species could have some new niches that their ancestors didn’t had. May be, a ground runner, like Geococcyx? parasitic species Which parasitic species? Piaya, Coccyzus or Guira Wikipedia states that Coccyzus species are partially, but not obligately, parasitic (sometimes lay eggs in other birds' nests).
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: May be, a ground runner, like Geococcyx? Here in South America we have the genus Neomorphus, the New World ground cuckoos. They are very threatened by deforestation. Perhaps they could be restricted to Amazon, while another species evolved to be an analogue of the Geococcyx in the rest of their territory. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Which parasitic species? The striped cuckoo (Tapera naevia) or the genus Dromococcyx. Their descendants could be obligated parasites of other cuckoos. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Wikipedia states that Coccyzus species are partially, but not obligately, parasitic (sometimes lay eggs in other birds' nests). Yes, I was thinking that one of their descendants could only lay eggs in their on nests. They would eat insects, having a preference for stinging caterpillar. They could be imune to their toxic substances.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Here in South America we have the genus Neomorphus, the New World ground cuckoos. They are very threatened by deforestation. Perhaps they could be restricted to Amazon, while another species evolved to be an analogue of the Geococcyx in the rest of their territory. Yes, why not? Your Neomorphus can survivve and give descendants in rainforests after the humans is gone, while a new species can develop in grasslands or mountains. striped cuckoo (Tapera naevia) Ah, I've read about Brazilian folklore character - the Saci! The name for descendant species is ready - the saci! They would eat insects, having a preference for stinging caterpillar. They could be imune to their toxic substances. Just like the common cuckoo. It eats hairy venomous caterpillars constantly.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Your Neomorphus can survivve and give descendants in rainforests after the humans is gone, while a new species can develop in grasslands or mountains. I was also thinking that the new species could also live in the Atlantic forests, filling the niche that the Neomorphus left here. Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Ah, I've read about Brazilian folklore character - the Saci! The name for descendant species is ready - the saci! This is really good! The striped cuckoo is already called this way in some parts of Brazil, this name fits well to this new species. Perhaps we could also add some of the characteristics of the mischief made by the creature from folklore in the description of the birds strategy to put eggs in the nest of other cuckoos.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho new species could also live in the Atlantic forests, filling the niche that the Neomorphus left here Yes, why not. Perhaps we could also add some of the characteristics of the mischief made by the creature from folklore in the description of the birds strategy to put eggs in the nest of other cuckoos. Yes, excellent!
JOrnitho: I finished the description of the cukoos. Common saci (Saci parasiticus) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: Tropical South America, from praries to the Amazon The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the common saci, a descendant of the striped cuckoo (Tapera naevia). The word saci was the name of a mischievous creature of Brazilian folklore and was also used as the name of the striped cuckoo in Brazil. This species can be found in all biomes of tropical South America, from prairies to the Amazon. This species has 35 cm of length with a wingspan of 100 cm. The adult is dark-grey above and white below with a pale rufous breast and upper belly. The tail is dark black with a broad white band near the tip and a pale rufous tip. The legs and feet are also yellow and the bill is black and olive. Immature birds have rufous barring above and brown streaks below. The male has a chestnut and black crest which is raised as part of its courtship display. They have long tails which are used as a rudder during flight and long narrow wings capable of strong direct flight. Their body and plumage remembers that of a hawk, with these birds even mimicking their way of flying. The common saci eats large insects, often taken off the ground. This is a solitary and fairly shy species which tends to keep to the cover of bushes, although it will vocalize from more open perches. This species is a typical brood parasite, with the female laying eggs in the nest of other birds. While some species of passeriformes are chosen as hosts, the saci have a preference for other cuckoos. The breeding season of the saci starts together with that of their possible hosts. A male will vocalize in a branch on an open area to attract the female. If she lands near him, he will vocalize while showing his crest. After the mating, the male will fly to search for other females. When it's time to lay eggs, the female will search for a suitable host that already has a nest. Once she finds it, she will scare the owner of the nest by flying like a hawk over the area where the nest is located. Even her vocalization is similar to that of a hawk. When the bird flies away, the saci lands in the nest and removes one of the eggs, before laying her own. This is the last time that she will see it. She can lay three eggs, each in a different nest. Common saci's eggs hatch faster than the others, usually after 15 days. At birth, the chick has a powerful beak, with a hook-shaped tip, used to kill the other young as they are born. With that, they secure a large amount of food, compatible with its size and speed of growth. The adoptive parents do their best to be able to feed the chick, which continues to ask for food, even after leaving the nest, at 18 days of age. They reach sexual maturity eith 10 months and have a lifespan of 8 years. The Mexican saci (Saci mexicanus) is another representative of this genus. Living from the Mexican Plateau to the tropical forests in Panama Peninsula, this species have 30 cm of length and a wingspan of 96 cm. Like their South American relatives, while flying they have the shape and behavior of a hawk. Their upperparts and head are black, while the underparts are pale grey. The throat is chestnut. Their tails have two white bands. The feet and legs are yellow. Differently from the common saci, this species prefers to lay eggs in nests of Passeriformes rather than that of other cuckoos. Brown good-mother cuckoo (Maiacoccyzus bruneus) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: Tropical areas of South America, from Amazon to Atlantic forest The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the brown good-mother cuckoo, a descendant of the Genus Coccyzus. This bird is the type species of the Genus Maiacoccyzus, the good-mother cuckoos. While their ancestors were facultative brood parasites, the members of this genus aren’t capable of doing it. They will build nests and incubate their own eggs. This species inhabits the tropical biomes of South America, including the Amazon and Atlantic forest. The brown good-mother cuckoo has 24 cm of length and a wingspan of 83 cm. They have a long tail, brown above and black with a white tip below, and a yellow curved bill with black especially on the lower mandible. The head and upper parts are brown and the underparts are white. It shows black on the wings in flight. Juveniles are similar, but the black on the undertail is replaced by gray. These birds forage in dense shrubs and trees, also may catch insects in flight. They mainly eat insects, especially caterpillars, being capable of eating those that are toxic due to immunity to it. However, they also eat some lizards, eggs of other birds and berries. These cuckoos sometimes congregate near insect outbreaks. The brown good-mother cuckoos are monogamous, forming pairs that stay together for the rest of their life. Prior to copulation, the male lands on a branch near the female with an insect in its beak. The female will then flick her tail up and down intermittently while the male sits there motionless. The male then mounts the female, with the insect still in its mouth, and the two copulate. The male gives the food to the female for her to eat. Their nest is built in a tree or shrub, usually up to 1–4 meters above the ground. The nest is a flimsy platform of short twigs placed on a horizontal branch. Females usually lay 2 to 5 blue-green eggs, which may take on a marbled appearance after a couple days of incubation. Both parents diligently incubate the eggs for 19 days. The chick leaves the nest 9 days after hatching, which is quite young when compared to other birds. The young are not able to fly right away however they can still move quite large distances by jumping between tree branches. During this period, they are more vulnerable to predators because they cannot fly away as the adults could. Due to this vulnerability, the juveniles can slowly assume an erect posture to conceal themselves. They stretch their neck out and point their bill upwards, while keeping their eyes open and remaining motionless. If the threat starts to back off, the cuckoo will relax its pose. The parents will also fiercely protect their chicks. The Brown good-mother cuckoo is one of the species chosen as host by the common saci. This species reach sexual maturity with 14 months and have a lifespan of 13 years. The grey-headed good-mother cuckoo (Maiacoccyzus griseocephalus) is another representative of this genus. This species inhabits the mountainous forests of the Andes. They have 23 cm of length and a wingspan of 79 cm. Their plumage is similar to that of the brown good-mother cuckoo, except for their gray head. Both bill and legs are yellow. Another Maiacoccyzus species is the red-billed good-mother cuckoo (Maiacoccyzus rubroramphus). This species inhabits the tropical rainforests of the Panama Peninsula. They have 26 cm of length and a wingspan of 87 cm. They have mainly chestnut upperparts and head, becoming paler on the throat. The lower breast is white and the belly is gray. The tail feathers are rufous with white tips. The bill and legs are bright red. Brown-chested ground cuckoo (Neomorphus bruneopectus) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: "Terra firme" forests of the Amazon The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. The deforestation of the rainforests caused great damage to the fauna and flora that lived here. In the Amazon rainforest, the species survived by finding refuges in areas that had difficult access to humans, such as the tepuis. They survived here and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of such species is the brown-chested ground cuckoo, a member of the genus Neomorphus. This genus had several representatives during the Neocene, but most of them disappeared. Now this species inhabits the "terra firme" forests of the Amazon. The brown-chested ground cuckoo is a large ground-dwelling bird with sturdy legs and a long tail. It has 54 cm of length and a wingspan of 46 cm. They typically have a semi-shiny dark-blue feather on the back. The crest is a glossy green with purple undertones. Its throat and chest is brown. Its wings are dark red and the belly is distinctly scaled. The beak and legs are dark grey. Its diet consists of grasshoppers, crickets and spiders. Often it's heard making loud bill-snaps while its song consists of a single hooting note. It's capable of swiftly moving across the forest floor. Single birds or pairs move around together and they often follows the trails of army ants and mammals. The brown-chested ground-cuckoo are monogamous, with the pair staying together during their entire life. They build their nests entirely out of leaves, about 5 meters off the ground on understory trees, and lay a single nestling. That single egg they lay is more of a rounded shape, rather than an oval. The egg is white cream color with a variety of brown spots. Both parents make sure to equally contribute to the nestling's need for incubation, care, and protection from any predators. The chick hatches after 19 days of incubation and fledge within 23 days. It stays together with the parents for two months, following them while they forage in the forest. They reach sexual maturity with 5 months and have a lifespan of 16 years. The Tepui ground cuckoo (Neomorphus minor) is another representative of this genus. This species is endemic to the Tepuis of Northern Amazon rainforest. They have 43 cm of length and a wingspan of 37 cm. This species has a metallic dark-green plumage on the back. The crest is a glossy purple. Its throat and chest is reddish-brown. Its wings are black and the belly is distinctly scaled. The beak and legs are dark grey. Another member of this genus is the Andean ground cuckoo (Neomorphus andinus), a species that is only found in the forests in the slopes of the Andes. They have 47 cm of length and a wingspan of 39 cm. This species has a metallic black plumage on the back. The crest is a glossy blue. Its throat and chest is dark red. Its wings are brown and the belly is distinctly scaled. The beak and legs are pale grey. Forest runner-cuckoo (Geoguira sylvatica) Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae Habitat: Atlantic forest of Southeastern and Northeastern South America The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. In South America, the Atlantic forest that existed in its Atlantic coast suffered more than any other of its biomes. Many of its endemic species perished, leaving vacant niches for descendants of those that were resilient enough to survive the anthropogenic onslaught. The guira cuckoo (Guira guira) was able to survive and in the Neocene, this species gave rise to the genus Geoguira, the runner cuckoos. The birds of this species are morphologically similar to the roadrunners (Geococcyx) of North America. This is a case of convergent evolution. The type species of this genus is the forest runner-cuckoo, a bird that inhabits the Atlantic forest of Southeastern and Northeastern South America, partially filling the niche that a subspecies of the rufous-vented ground-cuckoo (Neomorphus geoffroyi) left in this area. The forest runner-cuckoo has 46 cm of length and a wingspan of 38 cm. They have dark brown upperparts streaked with white, and rufous throat, breast, underparts and rump. The tail is relatively long and broad, black in color with a white-tip, and the long legs are dark gray. The long stout beak is orange, with a hooked tip. There is a prominent rufous crest. While capable of flying, this species prefers to run through the forest ground to evade predators. This species is an opportunistic predator, hunting small prey items on the ground. It feeds on worms, insects and other arthropods, tadpoles and frogs, eggs, small birds (especially nestlings) and small mammals such as mice. It also can feed on lizards and serpents, using its agility to evade their bites and attack their head. The forest runner-cuckoo usually lives alone or in small familiar flocks of four to seven individuals. Breeding pairs are monogamous and mate for life, and pairs may hold a territory all year. The male is more territorial, calling out to warn competitors, and does not hesitate to physically push non-related intruders out of his territory. During the courtship display, the male bows, alternately lifting and dropping his wings and spreading his tail. He parades in front of the female with his head high and his tail and wings drooped, and may bring an offering of food. The reproductive season is spring to mid-summer. The nest is built on a tree fork 2 to 5 m from the ground. The females lay 5 to 7 dark green colored eggs that are covered with a chalky layer. They are incubated by both parents for 20 days. After they hatch, the chicks are fed by both parents and by the siblings of the last clutch. They fledge within 18 days and start to follow their family. While sexual maturity is reached with 10 months, the young remains with the parents at least for one year, usually leaving after the next clutch is already old enough to leave the nest. Their lifespan is 14 years. Another representative of the Genus Geoguira is the savanna runner-cuckoo (Geoguira savana). This species inhabits the savannas of Central South America. They have 52 cm of length and a wingspan of 48 cm. Their plumage is similar to that of the forestal species, with the exception of two white bands on their tail.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Wow, four in a row! Great!
JOrnitho: Sometime ago I made this description for a new family derived of the Dendrocolaptidae. Do you have ideas for how it could avoid direct competition with the woodpeckers? Great false woodpecker (Pseudopicus magnus) Order:Passeriformes Family:Pseudopicidae Habitat: Atlantic forests of South America During the Holocene the human interference caused the extinction of many creatures. However some were capable to survive. The woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptidae) survived and in the Neocene a new family appeared from they, the family Pseudopicidae, the false woodpeckers, this name is due the morphological similarities with the woodpeckers. This family is formed by three genus: Pseudopicus (Great false woodpeckers), Lophornites (Crested false woopcekers) and Pictopicus (Painted false woodpecker). All the members of this family are mostly active during the crepuscular hours, both dawn and dusk. The great false woodpecker is the largest member of this family and lives in the forests of the Atlantic coast of South America. The great false woodpecker has 56 cm of length and a wingspan of 76 cm. The plumage of this bird is mostly reddish brown with cream underbelly and throat. The feathers of the tail are rigid and are used for supporting the body when climbing tree trunks. The tail can support most of the body weight and birds that lose their tail find climbing difficult. The false woodpeckers climb by flexing their legs and hopping up the trunk. The feet of these birds are also modified for climbing, false woodpeckers have developed zygodactyly feet. Its beak is grey, long, thick and strong. It’s used like a chisel, breaking the bark on trees in search of food. These birds also have relatively long tongues, but not as long as that of a true woodpecker. Their saliva is very sticky, which helps them catch insects. It feeds on the larvae and adults of certain poisonous wood-boring beetles, ants and termites, but also eats seeds, amphibians, lizards, fruit, and other insects. Unlike the true woodpeckers, they aren’t capable of pecking holes in the trees. The bird uses its large and strong bill to peel the bark off dead trees or of nests to find the insects. Then the long tongue and sticky is used to catch the prey. They will also use their beak to destroy bromeliads and liquens in search of insects and amphibians hiding here. These birds are monogamous, forming pairs for life. The breeding season occurs during all the year when there is abundant food. The nest is made in a dead or partially dead tree. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs. Parents incubate the eggs cooperatively for 24 days. The young fled with 28 days. This species reach sexual maturity with 2 years. The lifespan of the great false woodpecker is 18 years. Other species in the genus Pseudopicus: White-bellied false woodpecker (Pseudopicus leucogaster) Living in the savannas of Central South America, this species have 52 cm of length and a wingspan of 68 cm. Its plumage is similar to that of the great false woodpecker, with the exception of the belly which is white. Amazonian false woodpecker (Pseudopicus amazonicus) Living in the rainforests of the Amazon Basin, this bird has 54 cm of length and a wingspan of 70 cm. It has an auburn plumage, with the exception of the throat and underbelly which are pale grey. Southern false woodpecker (Pseudopicus australis) Living in the forests of Southern South America, this bird has 49 cm of length and a wingspan of 59 cm. It has pale brown plumage with a dark grey underbelly. These birds migrate to northern areas during the winter. Genus Lophornites The genus Lophornites is formed by the crested false woodpeckers. These birds are smaller than that of the genus Pseudopicus and are more terrestrial, feeding on the ground. Andean crested false woodpecker (Lophornites andinus) The type species of this genus, the Andean crested false woodpecker lives in the woodlands at the slopes of the Andes. These birds have 32 cm of length and a wingspan of 48 cm. Its plumage is yellowish-brown with grey throat and chest. Auburn crested false woodpecker (Lophornites rufus) Living at the forests near the foothills of the Andes, these birds have 35 cm length and a wingspan of 50 cm. Its plumage is auburn with dark brown underbelly. Genus Pictopicus: This genus is formed by the painted false woodpeckers. These birds share a similar size to the Genus Pseudopicus. It is formed by only one species. Painted false woodpecker (Pictopicus leucopteron) The only member of this genus, the painted false woodpecker is a large bird, with 48 cm of length and a wingspan of 54 cm. This bird lives in the tropical forests of the Panama Peninsula. It is mostly reddish-brown with white primaries and secundaries feathers. It also has a yellowish brown underbelly.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho May be, they could be nocturnal? Or they could eat some insects that true woodpeckers do not eat?
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: May be, they could be nocturnal? Or they could eat some insects that true woodpeckers do not eat? These are interesting ideas! Maybe these birds could feed mostly on ants and termites, using the beak open the nest of these insects. Or they could eat larvae and adults of a poisonous family of beetles that appeared in the Neocene. Their saliva could be sticky to capture these insects and they would be imune to the poison. They could also be more active during crepuscular hours.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Their saliva could be sticky to capture these insects and they would be imune to the poison. Very good! Add there a long tongue, like in Chameleo boatbill (the chapter "Stormy Forest").
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã I added these new information in the description. I think that these differences are enough to maintain it in a new family, rather than in the Dendrocolaptidae.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho OK, so be it!
JOrnitho: I made these descriptions in homage to the entrance of their ancestors in the official list of birds of Brazil. They came from Argentina and Uruguay and are here to stay. Yellow-winged goldfinch (Carduelis xanthopteron) Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae Habitat: Forests and woodlands of Southern South America During the Holocene, the man introduced many species to other continents. One of these species was the European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), introduced in Southern South America. This species was able to survive and in the Neocene they gave rise to a new species, the yellow-winged goldfinch. This bird inhabits forests and woodlands of Southern South America, migrating to the Atlantic rainforest of South America and to the terra firme forests of Amazon, where it is found in the understorey parts of it. The yellow-winged goldfinch is 12 to 13 cm long, with a wingspan of 21 to 25 cm. This species is sexual dysmorphic, with the male having a large dark red head. In females, the head is pale red. Their plumage is chocolate brown in the upper parts and creamy-white in the underparts with dark brown flanks and breast patches. Their main characteristic is the bright yellow primaries and secondary feathers, present in both sexes. The bill is ivory-colored, long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Birds in breeding condition have a white bill, with a blackish mark at the tip for the rest of the year. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. The legs are pale grey. The preferred food of these birds is small seeds and berries, but insects are also taken when feeding young. They forage in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species. The yellow-winged goldfinch is mostly monogamous, but males can occasionally breed with at least two females. The nest is built entirely by the female and is generally completed within a week. The male accompanies the female, but does not contribute. The nest is neat and compact and is generally located several metres above the ground, hidden by leaves in the twigs at the end of a swaying branch. It is constructed of mosses and lichens and lined with plant down. It is attached to the twigs of the tree with spider silk. A deep cup prevents the loss of eggs in windy weather. Beginning within a couple of days after the completion of the nest, the eggs are laid in the early morning at daily intervals. The clutch is typically 4-6 eggs, which are whitish with reddish-brown speckles. They have a smooth surface and are slightly glossy. The eggs are incubated for 11 to 13 days by the female, who is fed by the male. The chicks are fed by both parents. Initially they receive a mixture of seeds, berries and insects, but as they grow the proportion of insect material decreases. For the first 7 to 9 days the young are brooded by the female. The nestlings fledge 15 days after hatching. The young birds are fed by both parents for a further 9 days. The parents typically raise two broods before migrating in the winter. Sexual maturity is reached when the chicks are in their winter areas, with them being able to breed as soon as they return in spring. Their lifespan is 9 years. Scaled starling (Sturnus squamosus) Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae During the Holocene, the man introduced many species to other continents. One of these species was the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), introduced in Southern South America. This species was capable of surviving, giving rise to the scaled starling in the Neocene. This gregarious bird inhabits all the biomes from the temperate forests of Tierra del Fuego to the Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America. The population that inhabits the temperate areas migrate in large flocks of thousand individuals to the Amazon rainforest during the austral winter. Upon reaching their wintering areas, the flocks disperse. Scaled starlings have 18 to 22 cm of length and a wingspan of 30 to 43 cm. The plumage is iridescent purple with dark edges on the feathers, giving the bird a "scaly" appearance. During the winter, their plumage becomes more dull and full of white spots in the belly and chest. Juveniles are grey-brown and by their first winter resemble adults though often retaining some brown juvenile feathering, especially on the head. Their sharp, blade-like bill is bright yellow, while the legs and feet are bright orange. The scaled starling is largely insectivorous and feeds on several types of insects. Prey are consumed in both adult and larvae stages of development, and common starlings will also feed on earthworms, snails, small amphibians and lizards. While the consumption of invertebrates is necessary for successful breeding, common starlings are omnivorous and can also eat grains, seeds, fruits and nectar if the opportunity arises. These birds are monogamous, but the males can occasionally breed with more than one female. For the population living in the temperate areas of South America, the breeding season happens during the winter, while those living in tropical areas can breed during the entire year. Unpaired males find a suitable cavity and begin to build nests in order to attract single females, often decorating the nest with ornaments such as flowers and fresh green material, which the female later disassembles upon accepting him as a mate. The amount of green material is not important, as long as some is present, but the presence of herbs in the decorative material is important in attracting a mate. The males sing throughout much of the construction and even more so when a female approaches his nest. Following copulation, the male and female continue to build the nest. Nests may be in any type of hole, common locations include inside hollowed trees and tree stumps. The female lays eggs on a daily basis over a period of several days. If an egg is lost during this time, she will lay another to replace it. There are normally four or five eggs that are ovoid in shape and white. Incubation lasts thirteen days, although the last egg laid may take 24 hours longer than the first to hatch. Both parents share the responsibility of brooding the eggs, but the female spends more time incubating them than does the male, and is the only parent to do so at night when the male returns to the communal roost. The young are born blind and naked. They develop light fluffy down within seven days of hatching and can see within nine days. Nestlings remain in the nest for three weeks, where they are fed continuously by both parents. Fledglings continue to be fed for another one or two weeks after leaving the nest. The lifespan of this species is 20 years, but many perish before even reaching 5 years.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Good ones!
JOrnitho: Some more descriptions because I was very inspired after the weekend. Common melodious wren, or Common eastern uirapuru (Cambaxirra canora) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. However some species survived and in the Neocene they gave rise to new species. One of these new species is the common melodious wren, a descendant of the birds of the Genus Troglodytes. These birds are also the type species of the Genus Cambaxirra, the Eastern uirapurus. While cambaxirra was a common brazilian name for Troglodytes birds, the word uirapuru was a name used by the Tupi-guarani people to name some species of passerines, more famous used to name birds of the Genus Cyphorhinus, which descendants in the Neocene are endemic to the Amazon rainforest as members of the Genus Irapuru. The common melodious wren is endemic to the Atlantic rainforest of Southeastern and Northeastern South America. The common melodious wren is a small bird, the adults are 13 to 15 cm long with a wingspan of 17 cm. Their plumage is brown, being darker on the upperparts and lighter on the throat and chest. They have blackish barring to the wings, tail and to the flanks. The bill is thin with a blackish upper mandible, and a black-tipped pale grey lower mandible. The legs are pinkish or grey. The short tail has a white tip and is typically held cocked. These birds forage actively in the lower areas of the forest vegetation, never going to the canopy. They mainly eat insects such as butterfly larvae, also spiders and snails. The common melodious wren rarely attend mixed-species feeding flocks. The common melodious wren doesn't form flocks, being solitary or living in pairs. These birds are monogamous, with the bonded pair being aggressive to members of their own species. Such aggressiveness increases during the nesting season. Their courtship starts during rainy summer months, with the male singing an elaborated and agradable song to attract the female. Usually, he does it in a branch close to the ground. The female will land near him and, if she is pleased by it, will sing with him. This melodious species has different types of songs to use on several occasions. For example, those used to mark territory is different from those used by mated pairs in their "duet" to strengthen their bond. They usually construct a large cup nest in various sorts of cavities, taking about a week to build. The nest is made from small dry sticks and is usually lined with a variety of different materials. These include: feather, hair, wool, spider cocoons, strips of bark, rootlets and moss. The male wren finds dry sticks, which he adds to the nest. Once he is done, the female inspects the nest; but if she does not approve of the construction, she will throw any unwanted sticks to the ground. After this process, the female lines the nest. Nest cavities are usually a few meters above ground at most, but they can occasionally have nests in high cliffs. The common melodious wrens' clutch is usually between two and eight red-blotched cream eggs. Only the female incubates these, for around 12–19 days, and she will every now and then leave the nest for various reasons. While she is in the nest, the male provides her with food. The young, which like all passerines hatch almost naked and helpless, take another 15–19 days or so to fledge. They are fed by both parents, and need plenty of food given their tiny size. As the young near fledgling, the parents spend much of their time procuring food for them. They reach sexual maturity with 6 months and have a lifespan of 7 years. There are other species in the genus Cambaxirra, with each one of them having different songs. The Noronha melodious wren (Cambaxirra noronhensis) is endemic to the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. They have 11 cm of length and a wingspan of 22 cm. Their plumage is rufous brown above, pale gray below, barred with darker brown and black, even on wings and tail. The bill is dark brown, the legs pale brown. Young birds are less distinctly barred. The restinga melodious wren, or restinga eastern uirapuru (Cambaxirra litoralis) is endemic to the Atlantic coast restingas, an ecoregion closely associated with the Atlantic forest. They have 13 cm of length and 24 cm of wingspan. They have brown head and upperparts, barred with black on the wings and narrow tail. It has a stronger buff eyebrow stripe and black eyestripe. Their underparts are gray and white in the throat. The flanks and undertail coverts have dark brown bars. Another species is the serra melodious wren (Cambaxirra serrana), which is endemic to the mountainous Atlantic forests of Southeastern South America. They have 12 cm of length and 23 cm of wingspan. They have brown upperparts with small black and white spots and pale grey underparts with a light brown rump. Additional distinctive features include a dark grey line over the eye. The last representative of this genus is the southern melodious wren (Cambaxirra australis), which inhabits the forests of Southern South America. They have brown upperparts with a reddish-brown belly and flanks and a white throat and breast. The back is black with white stripes. They have a dark cap with a white line over the eyes. During winter, this species migrates to the areas of Southern Amazon rainforest. Marvelous musician wren, or marvelous true-uirapuru (Irapuru mirus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. The Amazon rainforest suffered with deforestation and exploitation of its soil for the extraction of gold and other valuable minerals. Many species were only able to survive such an onslaught because they retreated to remote areas that were difficult for the humans to reach. Living safely in these areas, they continued to evolve. Now, their descendants in the Neocene are the signals of their success. One of these animals is the marvelous musician wren, the type species of the Genus Irapuru. This bird is a descendant of the Genus Cyphorhinus, called as uirapurus by the Tupi people of Brazil. The marvelous musician wren have 13 cm of length and 20 cm of wingspan. The adult has a dark brown forehead and forecrown that becomes chestnut brown in the back and rump. It has a narrow white supercilium, a chestnut brown stripe behind the eye, and an orange-brown throat and chest. The tail is brown with cream-white tips. Its flanks and lower belly are yellowish brown. The juvenile is similar but sometimes has faint barring on its lower belly. The beak and legs are pale grey. Their vocalization is a series of agradable whistles, varying greatly in pitch. This bird forages primarily on and near the ground, searching debris and leaf litter. Its diet is mostly invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and crustaceans, but it also occasionally eats berries. It usually forages alone or in pairs. Though it sometimes follows army ant swarms it does not usually join mixed-species foraging flocks. The marvelous musician wren is monogamous, with pairs staying together for the rest of their lives. The breeding season starts during the beginning of the dry season. Males that don’t have pairs will congregate in a clean part of the forest ground. Here they will realize a specific vocalization to attract the females. With one land near them, the males will sing a song used for courtship. If she chose one of them, the female will approach him and start to make a "duet" with the male. These presentations can have from two to seven males and the order of the singing to the female is decided through intimidation and sometimes by fights between the males. Mated pairs will sing in "duet" to strengthen their bond. The parents work together to build the nest, which is spherical with an entrance through a funnel-shaped path and is constructed of pieces of leaves and coarse grass. The female lays two white eggs. She is the only responsible for incubating them, with the male bringing food for her and protecting the area of the nest against members of their own species. The incubation lasts for 15 days. The young hatch almost naked and helpless, taking another 16 days to fledge. They are fed by both parents, and need plenty of food given their tiny size. As the young near fledgling, the parents spend much of their time procuring food for them. They reach sexual maturity with 7 months and have a lifespan of 8 years. The Tepui musician wren, or Tepui true-uirapuru (Irapuru canorus) is another species of the genus Irapuru. This species inhabits the tepuis located in the Northern areas of Amazon. They have 11 cm of length and 18 cm of wingspan. They have a similar plumage to that of the Marvelous musician wren, with the only exception being the reddish-brown feathers in their underparts. Their song is also different from that of the lowland species. Another member of the genus is the Andean musician wren, or Andean true-uirapuru (Irapuru andinus). This species inhabits the altitude forests in the slopes of the Andes. They have 12 cm of length and 19 cm of wingspan. Their plumage is similar to that of their congenere, except for the lack of white supercilium and the presence of creamy-white feathers in the belly. Their song is also different and the males do not congregate in groups to present for the female, rather being very aggressive to each other during the breeding.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Great inspiration! Two more good species!
JOrnitho: I was thinking if you had ideas for other interesting birds for South America. Maybe some that could have an interesting relation with army ant or that were endemic to a small area. I like to discuss ideas of other people, or how some of my friends say, "we could brainstorm together". Also, I was thinking about the possibility of a medium-sized Cotinga that have elaborate courtship like the birds-of-paradise living here.
Áèîëîã: JOrnitho Firstly, the birds in relationship with ants. It depends on which birds and which ants. Army ants already present in neocene have no relations with birds, since army ants do not inhabit one place constantly. Secondly, the cotingas. Here, the bellbirds are interesting, as they could give descendants with more specialized vocal calls used to either/both mark the territory, call for mating partner and/or repel enemies with different calls.
JOrnitho: Áèîëîã ïèøåò: Army ants already present in neocene have no relations with birds, since army ants do not inhabit one place constantly. This is interesting. There is species of birds in South America that follow ants. Some are obligate, taking most of their diet from them. Maybe a family of nomad birds appeared, one that constantly follows the insects. Also, these ants that they follow would need to be a diurnal species.
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