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: Passerida
Superfamilia: Muscicapoidea
Familia: Turdidae
Genus: Pinarornis
Species: Pinarornis plumosus
Name
Pinarornis plumosus Sharpe, 1876
References
The Birds of South Africa. ed.2 Pt.3: 230.
Vernacular names
Afrikaans: Swartberglyster
English: Boulder Chat
Esperanto: Pinarorno
español: Zorzal roquero
français: Rochassier des éboulis
Nederlands: Steenspringer
русский: Камнелаз
svenska: Kopjeskvätta
The boulder chat (Pinarornis plumosus) is a species of bird in the thrush family Turdidae native to dry woodland and savanna in Southern Africa. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Pinarornis.
Taxonomy
The boulder chat was formally described in 1876 by the English ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe. He introduced a new genus specifically for this species and coined the binomial name Pinarornis plumosus.[2] The genus name combines the Ancient Greek pinaros meaning "dirty" with ornis meaning "bird". The specific epithet plumosus is Latin and means "feathered" or "downy".[3]
Although formerly classified in the family Muscicapidae, a 2020 phylogenetic study, the results of which were followed by the International Ornithological Congress, indicates that Pinarornis is in fact a basal clade within the thrush family Turdidae.[4]
Description
The boulder chat is a large chat, 25 cm (9.8 in) in length, with brownish-black plumage and white tips to the outer tail feathers. In flight, a row of small white spots can be seen on the edge of the primary and secondary coverts. Females are similar to males but have a slightly duller plumage.[5]
A pair at Lake Mutirikwi, Zimbabwe
In flight at Dzalanyama, Malawi
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to Southern Africa, including Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. There are distinct populations in the far west of Botswana and southern Zimbabwe; north eastern Zimbabwe, extending into western Mozambique; and a third population in eastern Zambia extending up the Luangwa valley into Malawi. The boulder chat inhabits well-wooded savanna terrain with large granite boulders or scree, usually in woodland areas, especially miombo.[6] This species belongs to a monotypic genus which has no near relatives and it is considered that it evolved on the southern African granite shield, which formation's extent is almost identical to the distribution of the boulder chat.[7]
Ecology
The species is most often seen around large boulders, running and bounding on the ground. It often cocks its tail over its back.[5] Eggs are laid in September to January, with a peak in October and November. After breeding the family remains together as a party until the next breeding season.[6]
Conservation
The IUCN currently classifies the boulder chat as Least Concern. The species may however be under some pressure from habitat loss due to the invasive weed Lantana camara.[6]
References
BirdLife International (2016). "Pinarornis plumosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22710478A94247116. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22710478A94247116.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
Layard, Edgar Leopole; Sharpe, R. Bowdler (1876). The Birds of South Africa (2nd ed.). London: Bernard Quaritch. pp. 230–231.
Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 307, 311. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2021). "Thrushes". IOC World Bird List Version 11.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
Sinclair, Ian.; Hockey, Phil; Tarbolton, Warwick (2002). Birds of Southern Africa. Struik. ISBN 1-86872-721-1.
"Boulder chat - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds" (PDF).
Stuart Irwin, Michael P. (1981). The Birds of Zimbabwe. Quest. p. 276. ISBN 0-908306-01-6.
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