Rubeho Akalat
Encyclopedia
The Rubeho Akalat, Sheppardia aurantiithorax, is a member of the Old World flycatcher
family (Muscicapiidae), known from the Eastern Arc of Tanzania
. Akalat
s trapped in 1989 here were assumed to be an isolated population of Iringa Akalat
which occurs c. 150 km to the south, but further specimens collected in 2000 led to the description of the bird as a new species
. The bird's English name relates to its type locality; the scientific name to the ochraceous colour on its throat and upper breast.
The species is thought to be fairly common in montane forests within its small range, but its very limited distribution has let to it being classified as Endangered species in the 2008 IUCN Red List
.
Old World flycatcher
The Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae is a large family of small passerine birds mostly restricted to the Old World. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing.-Characteristics:...
family (Muscicapiidae), known from the Eastern Arc of Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. Akalat
Akalat
The akalats are medium-sized insectivorous birds in the genus Sheppardia. They were formerly placed in the thrush family, Turdidae, but are more often now treated as part of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae....
s trapped in 1989 here were assumed to be an isolated population of Iringa Akalat
Iringa Akalat
The Iringa Akalat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is endemic to Tanzania.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
which occurs c. 150 km to the south, but further specimens collected in 2000 led to the description of the bird as a new species
Bird species new to science
This article describes bird species new to science since 1900. Prior to the 20th century, and indeed into its early decades, the pace of discovery of new species was fast; during this period, with numerous collecting expeditions into species-rich areas not previously visited by western...
. The bird's English name relates to its type locality; the scientific name to the ochraceous colour on its throat and upper breast.
The species is thought to be fairly common in montane forests within its small range, but its very limited distribution has let to it being classified as Endangered species in the 2008 IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
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