Marañón crescentchest

Marañón crescentchest
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Melanopareiidae
Genus:	Melanopareia
Species:	M. maranonica
Binomial name
Melanopareia maranonica Chapman, 1924

The Marañón crescentchest (Melanopareia maranonica) is a species of bird in the family Melanopareiidae. It is found in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.[2]

Taxonomy and systematics

The crescentchests (genus Melanopareia) were previously included in family Rhinocryptidae, the tapaculos. A 2010 publication confirmed earlier work and created their present genus.[3][4] The Marañón crescentchest is monotypic.[2] It and the elegant crescentchest (Melanopareia elegans) might form a superspecies.[3]

Description

The Marañón crescentchest is 16 cm (6.3 in) long. A female specimen weighed 23 g (0.81 oz). The male's crown and nape are black and its back and rump grayish olive. The chin and throat are white or light buff, and the throat is bordered on its sides and bottom with darker buff. It has broad black band just below the throat that merges into a chestnut breast; below the breast it is tawny. The female has a similar pattern. However, the black band is narrower and the underparts from that band to the tail are an ochraceous tawny.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The Marañón crescentchest has a very small range; it is found in the valley of the Marañón River and its tributaries in northern Peru and slightly into adjacent Ecuador. In elevation it occurs from 200 to 700 m (660 to 2,300 ft). It inhabits tropical deciduous forest and dry scrub.[5]

Behavior

The Marañón crescentchest's diet has not been described; it is presumed to be insects and perhaps seeds and other vegetable matter. Nothing is known about the species' breeding phenology, but its nest is assumed to be a cup like those of other Melanopareia species.[5]

The Marañón crescentchest's song is a "series of rich notes: tu tu-tu-tu'tu'tu'tu'tu'tu'tu'tu" [1]. It has a variety of calls [2].[5]

Status

The IUCN has assessed the Marañón crescentchest as Near Threatened. It is uncommon in its small range and the population is believed to be declining.[1]

References

1. BirdLife International (2021). "Maranon crescentchest Melanopareia maranonica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
2. Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (January 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.1)". Retrieved January 14, 2021.
3. Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, A. Jaramillo, D. F. Lane, J. F. Pacheco, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 19 January 2021. A classification of the bird species of South America. American Ornithological Society. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved January 19, 2021
4. Ericson, P.G.P.; Olson, S.L.; Irestedt, M.; Alvarenga, H.; Fjeldså, J. (2010). "Circumscription of a monophyletic family for the tapaculos (Aves: Rhinocryptidae): Psiloramphus [sic] in and Melanopareia out". Journal of Ornithology. 151: 337–345.
5. Schulenberg, T. S. and T. Johnson (2020). Marañon Crescentchest (Melanopareia maranonica), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.marcre1.01 retrieved May 3, 2021