Androphobus viridis
The Papuan Whipbird (*Androphobus viridis*) is a medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 20-22 cm (8-8.7 inches) in length and weighing around 30-40g. Its plumage is uniformly dull olive-green, slightly paler on the underparts, offering superb camouflage within its dense montane forest habitat. Distinctive field marks are scarce due to its shy nature; it possesses a short, stout bill and dark eyes, but its most reliable identifier is its incredibly loud and explosive "whip-crack" call. Se...
Dense, wet montane rainforest and montane moss forest are its primary habitats. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,700 meters (4,000-9,000 feet) above sea level.
It is primarily insectivorous, consuming various insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Foraging occurs by gleaning from leaf litter and low vegetation on the forest floor.
Primarily diurnal, the Papuan Whipbird is intensely secretive, spending most of its time foraging on or very close to the forest floor. Roosting details are largely unrecorded, but it likely utilizes dense undergrowth for concealment. It forages deliberately, gleaning insects and small invertebra...
The Papuan Whipbird is endemic to the island of New Guinea, where it exhibits a relatively wide but fragmented distribution across several major montane regions. Its presence spans the central mountain ranges, including the Snow Mountains (Pegunungan Maoke) in West Papua (Indonesia), and extends ...
Least Concern
- The Papuan Whipbird is so secretive that it is more often heard than seen, with its distinctive call echoing through the montane forests. - It is the sole member of its genus, *Androphobus*, making it a unique lineage among the Psophodidae family. - Despite its name, its direct relation to the ...