Jewel-babblers and allies (Eupetidae)
Lesser Melampitta (Melampitta lugubris) - HBW 12, p. 372
French: Petite Mélampitte
German: Glanzflöter
Spanish: Melampita Chica
Other common names: Lesser Blackwit, Black False Pitta
Taxonomy: Melampitta lugubris Schlegel, 1871, Arfak Mountains, New Guinea.
True affinities of genus uncertain; possibly belongs in a family of its own; has sometimes been linked with Paradisaeidae, but present species differs from that family in having downy nestlings and in not feeding them by regurgitation. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- lugubris Schlegel, 1871 - Arfak Mts, in NW New Guinea.
- rostrata (Ogilvie-Grant, 1913) - Grant, 1913) - Weyland Mts and Nassau Range, in WC New Guinea.
- longicauda Mayr & Gilliard, 1952 - mountains of NC & E New Guinea (Oranje Range E to Huon Peninsula and Owen Stanley Range).
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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A bird calling from the ground near Kumul Lodge. Locality Kumul Lodge, Mount Hagen, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea (mainland), New Guinea (ssp longicauda)
Keith Blomerley 21 August 2008 4 years ago 29 sec 2.7
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A perched male.
Locality Ambua Lodge, Tari Valley, Papua New Guinea (mainland), New Guinea (ssp longicauda)
Ken Havard 11 April 2007 35 weeks ago 3.3
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A bird calling Locality Enga Province, Papua New Guinea (mainland), New Guinea
Keith Blomerley 21 August 2008 4 years ago 4
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