Prionochilus
Encyclopedia
Prionochilus is one of two genera
flowerpecker that make up the family Dicaeidae
. The genus differs from the other flowerpecker genus, Dicaeum
in having ten long primary feathers
in the wing and in the character of its calls. A study comparing the calls of the two genera suggested that Prionochilus is basal to Dicaeum. The genus contains six species, in contrast to the 38 species in the genus Dicaeum. They have a more restricted distribution than Dicaeum, occurring in the Philippines, Borneo, Suamtra, Java and the Malay Peninsula. The name Prionochilus is derived from the Greek
prion for saw, and kheilos for lip, referring to the minute serrations along the edge of the bill
.
In common with the other flowerpeckers, the Prionochilus flowerpeckers are small birds, between 9–10 cm in length and weighing 7-23 g. The bill of all the six species is deep, broad and short. In terms of plumage
the genus is fairly variable. Four of the six species exhibit sexual dimorphism
with regards to plumage, with the males in these cases being more brightly coloured. In four of the six species at least one of the sexes have a white malar stripe on the throat, and all but one of the species has an orange or red patch on the crown.
Like all members of the family the fruits, nectar and pollen of mistletoe
(Loranthaceae
) are important to the Prionochilus flowerpeckers. In addition, other fruits are taken. Smaller fruits are consumed whole, or squeezed until skin is removed and discarded, then swallowed, whereas larger fruits are pierced with the bill and chunks removed and swallowed. In addition to plant material insects and spiders are eaten as well. Information about the diet (and many other aspects of the biology of this genus and indeed family) is patchy and more research is needed.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
flowerpecker that make up the family Dicaeidae
Flowerpecker
The flowerpeckers are a family, Dicaeidae , of passerine birds. The family comprises two genera, Prionochilus and Dicaeum, with 44 species in total. The family has sometimes been included in an enlarged sunbird family Nectariniidae. The berrypeckers of the family Melanocharitidae and the painted...
. The genus differs from the other flowerpecker genus, Dicaeum
Dicaeum
Dicaeum is a genus of birds in the flowerpecker family, a group of passerines tropical southern Asia and Australasia from India east to the Philippines and south to Australia...
in having ten long primary feathers
Flight feather
Flight feathers are the long, stiff, asymmetrically shaped, but symmetrically paired feathers on the wings or tail of a bird; those on the wings are called remiges while those on the tail are called rectrices . Their primary function is to aid in the generation of both thrust and lift, thereby...
in the wing and in the character of its calls. A study comparing the calls of the two genera suggested that Prionochilus is basal to Dicaeum. The genus contains six species, in contrast to the 38 species in the genus Dicaeum. They have a more restricted distribution than Dicaeum, occurring in the Philippines, Borneo, Suamtra, Java and the Malay Peninsula. The name Prionochilus is derived from the Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
prion for saw, and kheilos for lip, referring to the minute serrations along the edge of the bill
Beak
The beak, bill or rostrum is an external anatomical structure of birds which is used for eating and for grooming, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, probing for food, courtship and feeding young...
.
In common with the other flowerpeckers, the Prionochilus flowerpeckers are small birds, between 9–10 cm in length and weighing 7-23 g. The bill of all the six species is deep, broad and short. In terms of plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
the genus is fairly variable. Four of the six species exhibit sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
with regards to plumage, with the males in these cases being more brightly coloured. In four of the six species at least one of the sexes have a white malar stripe on the throat, and all but one of the species has an orange or red patch on the crown.
Like all members of the family the fruits, nectar and pollen of mistletoe
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemi-parasitic plants in several families in the order Santalales. The plants in question grow attached to and within the branches of a tree or shrub.-Mistletoe in the genus Viscum:...
(Loranthaceae
Loranthaceae
Loranthaceae is a family of flowering plants, which has been universally recognized by taxonomists. It consists of about 75 genera and 1,000 species of woody plants, many of them hemi-parasites, all of them except three having the mistletoe habit...
) are important to the Prionochilus flowerpeckers. In addition, other fruits are taken. Smaller fruits are consumed whole, or squeezed until skin is removed and discarded, then swallowed, whereas larger fruits are pierced with the bill and chunks removed and swallowed. In addition to plant material insects and spiders are eaten as well. Information about the diet (and many other aspects of the biology of this genus and indeed family) is patchy and more research is needed.
Species
- Yellow-breasted FlowerpeckerYellow-breasted FlowerpeckerThe Yellow-breasted Flowerpecker is a species of bird in the Dicaeidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:*...
(Prionochilus maculatus) - Olive-backed FlowerpeckerOlive-backed FlowerpeckerThe Olive-backed Flowerpecker is a species of bird in the Dicaeidae family.It is endemic to the Philippines.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
(Prionochilus olivaceus) - Crimson-breasted FlowerpeckerCrimson-breasted FlowerpeckerThe Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker is a species of bird in the Dicaeidae family.It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand....
(Prionochilus percussus) - Palawan FlowerpeckerPalawan FlowerpeckerThe Palawan Flowerpecker is a species of bird in the Dicaeidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests....
(Prionochilus plateni) - Scarlet-breasted FlowerpeckerScarlet-breasted FlowerpeckerThe Scarlet-breasted Flowerpecker is a species of bird in the Dicaeidae family.It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand....
(Prionochilus thoracicus) - Yellow-rumped FlowerpeckerYellow-rumped FlowerpeckerThe Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker is a species of bird in the Dicaeidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia on the island of Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.-References:* BirdLife...
(Prionochilus xanthopygius)