Plain bush-hen
| Plain bush-hen | |
|---|---|
| |
| in Luzon. | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Gruiformes |
| Family: | Rallidae |
| Genus: | Amaurornis |
| Species: | A. olivacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Amaurornis olivacea (Meyen, 1834) | |
The plain bush-hen (Amaurornis olivacea) is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is endemic to the Philippines.
Description and taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A large ground bird of grass, scrub, and forest edge, usually close to water. Slate-gray on the head and underparts, blending to a brown back and tail. Note the greenish-yellow bill and the long yellow legs. Similar to Tabon Scrubfowl, but usually found near water and outside of forest, and distinguished by yellow legs, thicker bill, and lack of bare facial skin. Highly vocal and much more often heard than seen. Voice includes a rhythmic quacking and harsh rasps."[2]
It was formerly conspecific with the Pale-vented bush-hen but is differentiated by its much darker plummage.
This species is monotypic[3]
Ecology and behavior
There have been no species specific studies on its breeding and diet but it is pressumed to have the same behaviour as the Pale-vented bush-hen. Feeds on insects, mostly earthworms and larvae, small vertebrates and vegetable matter.
Not much is known about breeding but has records almost throughout the year. Nests in swampy conditions with a cup shaped nest made of plant matter. Known to lay 4 creamy white eggs with red spots.[3]
Habitat and conservation status
This species occupies swampy grassland, shrubland and forest edge
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as a Least-concern species owing to its wide range despite being generally uncommon . It is recommended that this be reassessed to Data deficient as its ecology and population are basically unknown. Both wetlands and forests in the Philippines are at risk from deforestation abd land conversion.[4]
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Amaurornis olivacea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22692616A93361623. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22692616A93361623.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Plain Bush-hen - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
- ^ a b Taylor, Barry (2020). "Plain Bush-hen (Amaurornis olivacea), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.plabuh1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ IUCN (2016-10-01). Amaurornis olivacea: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22692616A93361623 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t22692616a93361623.en.