| Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris (Sparrman, 1787)) |
|
|
|
Scientific name: Acanthisitta chloris (Sparrman, 1787) Common name: Rifleman Other names: Maori name: Titipounamu. French name: Xénique grimpeur Order: Passeriformes Family: Acanthisittidae Size: Body size: 7 to 8 cm; Weight: 5.5 to 6 g for males and 6.5 to 7.5 g for females; Wingspan: 10 to 11 cm. Habitat: Forests, bushes, pine plantations, in the plains and up to 1500 m in altitude. Food: Insectivorous, both in litter and on trunks. The Rifleman inspects a trunk by moving upwards from the base and starts again on the next trunk starting from its base. Nesting: The nest is a small ovoid ball constructed of intertwined grasses and feathers. The entrance is a small, narrow tunnel located on the side. It is placed on the ground, on a branch or in a cavity. There are often two clutches of 4 to 5 eggs per year. Migration: Sedentary. Geographic area: Endemic to New Zealand. There are two subspecies. Acanthisitta chloris chloris is found on the South Island in the large western half and on the Banks Peninsula. Acanthisitta chloris granti is found on the North Island in different separated areas. |
The male Rifleman is bright green above with a yellow-green rump. The wings are black, green and white with a distinct yellow stripe. The short tail is black with a whitish tip. The throat, chest and belly are white. The sides are yellowish. The eyebrows are white and the dark brown or black bill is slightly curved upwards. Females have a duller plumage. The upper side is yellow brown with dark streaks. The underside is more greyish. The North Island subspecies has less yellow on the flanks. |
| [To know more about the Rifleman] [Next picture] [Top] |
|
I think the yellow brown upper side with dark streaks indicates a female. |
| [To know more about the Rifleman] [Previous picture] [Top] |
|
We are on the South Island with the subspecies Acanthisitta chloris chloris which shows very yellow sides. |
André Bon May 2024