Gibberbird

Gibberbird
File:Gibberbird (Ashbyia lovensis).jpg
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Meliphagidae
Genus:	Ashbyia North, 1911
Species:	A. lovensis
Binomial name
Ashbyia lovensis (Ashby, 1911)

The gibberbird (Ashbyia lovensis), or desert chat, is a species of bird endemic to Australia. It is the only species in the genus Ashbyia, which was named after South Australian ornithologist Edwin Ashby. It, along with the four chats in the genus Epthianura, have sometimes been placed in a separate family, Epthianuridae (the Australian chats), but are now thought to be aberrant honeyeaters in the family Meliphagidae.

The gibberbird is 11–14 cm long and weighs 14–20 g. The plumage of the male is washed out brown on the crown, back of the neck, back and wings and yellow on the face, throat and belly. The female is similar but with more brown around the throat, face and neck and overall a bit duller. The iris of the eye is bright yellow and the heavy bill and legs are black.

The names of the species is derived from the gibber plains that comprise its habitat. It is a terrestrial species which feeds on seeds and lives singly or in pairs.

References

• del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-84-96553-42-2

External links

• Image at ADW