Bornean stubtail
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Urosphena whiteheadi

The Bornean stubtail (Urosphena whiteheadi ) is a species of bird in the cettiid warbler family Cettiidae. It is endemic to the island of Borneo, where it inhabits forest floors and undergrowth in montane forests at elevations of 750–3,150 m (2,460–10,330 ft). It is a small, short-tailed warbler, measuring 9.5–10 cm (3.7–3.9 in) in length and having an average mass of 10.4 g (0.37 oz). The tops of the head and the upperparts are brown, with whitish underparts that turn grey at the sides of the breast and the flanks. The supercilium (stripe above the eye) is long and buffish-brown, with an equally long dark grey eyestripe (stripe through the eye) and a thin yellow eye-ring. Both sexes are similar.

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The species feeds on invertebrates, especially green aphids, foraging in a mouse-like manner on the ground and in undergrowth. Nests are made out of reddish plant fibres, with incubation taking 24 days on average. It is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its sufficiently large range and stable population.

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Appearance

The Bornean stubtail is a very small warbler with long legs and a very short tail, measuring 9.5–10 cm (3.7–3.9 in) in length and having an average mass of 10.4 g (0.37 oz). The top of the head and the upperparts are brown, while the underparts are greyish-white, turning grey at the side of the breast and the flanks. The belly is often light yellow-brown. The supercilium (stripe above the eye) is long and buffish-brown, with an equally long dark grey eyestripe (stripe through the eye) and a thin yellow eye-ring. The cheeks and ear-coverts are orange-buff. The legs are pale pink, the bill is dark brownish-black, and the iris is blackish. Both sexes look similar.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms

Endemic to Borneo, the Bornean stubtail is found in the mountain ranges of Borneo, from Mount Kinabalu south to Liang Kubung, the Müller Mountains, Mount Dulit, and Gunung Menyapa. It has also been recorded from the southeastern part of the Meratus Mountains in the southeastern part of the island. The species inhabits the forest floor and undergrowth of montane forests at altitudes of 750–3,150 m (2,460–10,330 ft).

Bornean stubtail habitat map

Biome

Bornean stubtail habitat map
Bornean stubtail
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Habits and Lifestyle

The species is usually found alone. It has a generation length of 3.6 years.

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The Bornean stubtail feeds on invertebrates, especially green aphids. It forages on the ground and in dense undergrowth, creeping about in an inconspicuous manner more like that of a mouse than a bird. However, it can sometimes be quite curious and docile.

Nests consist mostly of reddish plant fibres and are built on mossy banks. The incubation of the eggs takes an average of 24 days, which is unusually long compared to other species in its range. The length is caused by the long periods of time (around 6–8 hours every day) that parents spend away from the nest.

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Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Population

Population number

The Bornean stubtail is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its sufficiently large range and stable population. Its population has not been estimated, but it is a common species above elevations of 2,000 m (6,600 ft). It is present in some protected areas like Kinabalu Park.

References

1. Bornean stubtail Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bornean_stubtail
2. Bornean stubtail on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22714365/132106290
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/520275

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