Lamprolia victoriae

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Cladus: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Cladus: Telluraves
Cladus: Australaves
Ordo: Passeriformes
Subordo: Passeri
Infraordo: Corvida
Superfamilia: Corvoidea

Familia: Rhipiduridae
Genus: Lamprolia
Species: Lamprolia victoriae
Name

Lamprolia victoriae Finsch, 1874
References

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London (1873) Pt3 735 p.
IUCN: Lamprolia victoriae (Near Threatened)

Vernacular names
Cymraeg: Aderyn cynffon loyw
Deutsch: Seidenfächerschwanz
English: Taveuni silktail
فارسی: ابریشم‌دم تاوئونی
suomi: Silkkipyrstömonarkki
magyar: Selyemfarkú légykapó
Nederlands: Taveuniprachtlamprolia
Diné bizaad: Atseeyilzhólii
svenska: taveunisilkesstjärt

The Taveuni silktail (Lamprolia victoriae) is a species of bird endemic to Fiji. This beautiful bird looks superficially like a diminutive bird-of-paradise but it is actually closely related to the fantails.

Finsch named the species after Victoria, eldest daughter of Queen Victoria, who was then Crown Princess of Germany.[2]
Description

The Taveuni silktail is a small black bird, measuring around 12 centimetres (4.7 in) and weighing 16 to 21 g (0.56–0.74 oz). It is a small, dumpy bird with long rounded wings, and a short rounded tail. The plumage of the male is velvet black with metallic blue iridescent spangling on the crown and breast, and silky white lower-back patch that travels most of the length down the tail. The margin of the tail is black, sometimes this tip has the same iridescence as other parts of the body. The female is similar to the male, except less glossy, and immature birds are duller than the adults and may have buffy rumps and backs. The irises of this species are dark, and the legs and bill are blackish.[3] The bill is heavy and slightly hooked at the end. The legs are long and the feet strong.[4]
Distribution and habitat

The Taveuni silktail is endemic to forests of Taveuni in Fiji. It occurs widely. It occurs in mature wet rainforests, as well as forest patches, and is also found in human-modified habitats such as logged forests and in plantations near patches of natural forest.[3]
Behaviour

It can be quite elusive and difficult to see, but may also be confiding and approachable. It is usually very active at dawn, and is encountered either singly or in small flocks.

The diet consists mainly of insects, worms and arthropods.
Status and conservation
Duration: 40 seconds.0:40
Vidawa, Taveuni, Fiji Isles (golden whistler calling in background)

The Taveuni silktail is a restricted range species. Forest clearance for mahogany plantations and general forest clearance within its range have led to the species being listed as vulnerable in 1994; however, this was downgraded to near threatened in 2006. While its habitat is being lost, it is not yet severely fragmented. The species occurs within the Ravilevu Nature Reserve and the Bouma National Heritage Park.[3]
References

BirdLife International (2016). "Lamprolia victoriae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103707785A94122557. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103707785A94122557.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
Finsch, Otto (1873). "On Lamprolia victoriae, a most remarkable Passerine Bird from the Feejee Islands". Proceed. Of the Zool. Society of London Pt. 3: 733–735.
Coates, Brian; Dutson, Guy; Filardi, Chris; Clement, Peter; Gregory, Phil; Moeliker, Kees (2007). "Family Monarchidae (Monarch-flycatchers)". In Josep, del Hoyo; Andrew, Elliott; David, Christie (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11, Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. p. 322. ISBN 978-84-96553-06-4.
Cottrell, G.W. (1966). "A problem species: Lamprolia victoriae". Emu. 66 (3): 253–266. doi:10.1071/MU966253.