The Emei Shan liocichla (Liocichla omeiensis), also known as the Omei Shan or grey-faced liocichla, is a passerine bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is closely related to the Bugun liocichla, a species only described in 2006, and which it closely resembles.

Emei Shan liocichla
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Leiothrichidae
Genus: Liocichla
Species:
L. omeiensis
Binomial name
Liocichla omeiensis
Riley, 1926

Habitat

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The species is endemic to forests[3] in mountain ranges in Southern Sichuan, China. It is an altitudinal migrant, spending the summer months above 1000 m and moving below 600m in the winter.[1] It is often found in thick bamboo and deep scrub forests.[3]

Description

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The Emei Shan liocichla is an olive-grey coloured bird with red wing patches. The plumage on the face is grey with a slight red ring on each side of the face.[1]

Diet

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The species feeds in the undergrowth of semi-tropical rainforest.[1] It is an herbivore.[4]

Threats

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The Emei Shan liocichla is considered vulnerable by the IUCN. It is threatened by habitat loss through logging and conversion to agriculture. Some populations are protected inside reserves, such as the Emei Shan Protected Scenic Site.[1]

Vocalization

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Individual males have very distinct songs, and can be identified by their vocalizations.[3] They whistle loudly and in complex patterns during breeding seasons to maintain their territories.[3] Females do not vocalize.[3]

Breeding

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Its nesting success has decreased as a result of habitat loss.[5] After disturbances, Emei Shan liocichlas tend to place their nests higher (in taller plants or on higher parts of the plants), or in thornier trees, presumably to protect against further disturbances.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e BirdLife International (2017). "Liocichla omeiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22715770A117063025. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22715770A117063025.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b c d e Kong, Chiping; Wu, Yongheng; Lou, Shangling; Chen, Benping; Dowell, Simon D.; Fu, Yiqiang (2020). "Individual Identification Based on the Songs of the Emei Shan Liocichla (Liocichla omeiensis)". Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 52 (2). doi:10.17582/journal.pjz/20170510120508. ISSN 0030-9923.
  4. ^ Huang, R; Li, L; Song, B; Lyu, Y; Wu, B (2020). "Appearance and Digestive System Comparison of Lonchura Striata and Copsychus Saularis: Searching for the Effect of Staple Feeding Ingredients on Avian Morphology". Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science. 22 (4). doi:10.1590/1806-9061-2020-1308. ISSN 1806-9061.
  5. ^ a b Fu, Yiqiang; Xu, Yuanyuan; Wang, Shufang; Dowell, Simon D.; Zhang, Zhengwang (2022-04-12). "Threatened songbird Liocichla omeiensis impacted by climate‐induced outbreak of the moth Pantana phyllostachysae: An example of the impact of climate change through multi‐species interactions". Conservation Science and Practice. 4 (6). doi:10.1111/csp2.12691. ISSN 2578-4854.
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