There are two subspecies of the Long-legged warbler : the Viti Levu subspecies (Trichocichla rufa rufa) and the Vanua Levu subspecies (T. r. clunei).
Also known as: Long-legged Warbler
Local Names: Manukalou
Description
There are two subspecies of the Long-legged warbler: the Viti Levu subspecies (Trichocichla rufa rufa) and the Vanua Levu subspecies (T. r. clunei). The Viti Levu subspecies is a large, slender bird that measures 17 cm from the tip of its black beak to the tip of the tail. It is entirely rufous-brown in colour except for the chin and throat which are white, and the belly which is white washed with rufous. The head is darker in colour with an obvious white eye stripe – much like an eyebrow – extending to the back of the neck where it becomes buff off-white. The tail and bluish legs are both quite long relative to the body. The Vanua Levu sub-species looks very similar to the Viti Levu subspecies and the main differences are in the eyebrow and chin and belly, all of which are a more conspicuous white in the Vanua Levu sub-species.
Distribution
The two Long-legged warbler subspecies are both endemic to Fiji, and each endemic to their respective islands. One is endemic to Viti Levu: T. r. rufa, and the other endemic to Vanua Levu: T. r. cluniei. On Viti Levu, they have been found in the Wabu Forest Reserve, the Sovi Basin and near the Monasavu Dam; and calls have been heard on three occasions on Mt. Korobaba.
Habitat Ecology and Behaviour
The Long-legged warbler is a ground dwelling bird with a secretive habit, and lives within dense vegetation of Fiji’s mature forest. There have been reports of this bird within the dense undergrowth of heavily disturbed forests. Recent research has shown that this elusive species is much commoner than previously believed possible and it is now known from at least 10 different locations. Its basic habitat need is upper catchments steep-sided streams, particularly between 600 m and 1,000 m elevation. Because of its colour and very secretive behaviour, this bird has long been overlooked in the field. There is not much known yet on the ecology of this species.
Threats
Because it spends much of its time on or near the ground, the Long-legged warbler is threatened by predation by introduced mammals such as the mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), rats (Rattus spp.) and feral cats (Felis catus). It is believed to be a naturally rare bird, and this coupled with predation by introduced mammals could have devastating impacts on remaining populations.
Conservation Status
The Long-legged warbler was considered a very rare, perhaps lost on Viti Levu until a capture of some individuals during a Pacific Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) baseline survey in 2003 within the Wabu Forest reserve. Before this rediscovery, the Long-legged warbler was only known from four specimens collected between 1890 and 1894 from Viti Levu and several unconfirmed sightings from the Vunidawa region.. However, now that its narrow habitat requirements are known, it is being found to be quite widespread within Fiji’s remaining forest. Birdlife International, in collaboration with Environmental Consultants Fiji, the Institute of Applied Sciences and Biology Department of the University of the South Pacific, National Trust for Fiji, and various conservation non-governmental organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Society South Pacific Program and Worldwide Fund for Nature conducted research into Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Fiji. Through this research they identified areas in Fiji important for bird conservation. The known habitat of the Long-legged warbler, are included in Fiji’s IBAs. Future research on the Long-legged warbler will need to include the monitoring of nesting success to assess whether it is threatened by the mongoose, rats and feral cats; whilst current research continues to survey for further occurrences on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The Vanua Levu subspecies was first discovered in 1974, but there have been no other confirmed sightings since then. The lack of data on the Vanua Levu subspecies of the Long-legged warbler can be attributed to the lack of ornithological surveys carried out on the island.
Remarks and Cultural Significance
The Long-legged warbler was considered a very rare, perhaps lost on Viti Levu until a capture of some individuals during a Pacific Asia Biodiversity Transect (PABITRA) baseline survey in 2003 within the Wabu Forest reserve. Before this rediscovery, the Long-legged warbler was only known from four specimens collected between 1890 and 1894 from Viti Levu and several unconfirmed sightings from the Vunidawa region.. However, now that its narrow habitat requirements are known, it is being found to be quite widespread within Fiji’s remaining forest. Birdlife International, in collaboration with Environmental Consultants Fiji, the Institute of Applied Sciences and Biology Department of the University of the South Pacific, National Trust for Fiji, and various conservation non-governmental organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Society South Pacific Program and Worldwide Fund for Nature conducted research into Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Fiji. Through this research they identified areas in Fiji important for bird conservation. The known habitat of the Long-legged warbler, are included in Fiji’s IBAs. Future research on the Long-legged warbler will need to include the monitoring of nesting success to assess whether it is threatened by the mongoose, rats and feral cats; whilst current research continues to survey for further occurrences on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The Vanua Levu subspecies was first discovered in 1974, but there have been no other confirmed sightings since then. The lack of data on the Vanua Levu subspecies of the Long-legged warbler can be attributed to the lack of ornithological surveys carried out on the island.
References
Masibalavu and Dutson (2006);
Watling (2004)
Front Page Photo: By Baravi Thaman. A Long-legged warbler from the Wabu Forest Reserve