Brazilian Laniisoma

Overview

The Brazilian laniisoma (Laniisoma elegans) is a monotypic bird species in the family Tityridae, endemic to Brazil. It is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is believed to be decreasing due to agricultural expansion and logging.

Identification

• Medium-sized bird, 18.5 to 20.5 cm long, with a long, blackish bill featuring a hooked tip.
• Adult males display a deep black crown and bright olive-green upperparts, contrasting with golden-yellow underparts marked by irregular black scale-like patterns.
• Adult females have a lighter, dusky olive-green crown and underparts almost completely covered in black markings.
• Song is described as an extremely high, down-slurred 'piiiieh' repeated with slight variations in pitch and intervals.

Habitat

Inhabits the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, ranging from Alagoas south to eastern Santa Catarina. It favors humid primary and mature secondary forests that are heavy with moss and vines, typically between 100 and 900 m elevation, though it may move to higher elevations during the austral summer.

Diet

Feeds on adult and larval insects, specifically Lepidoptera caterpillars, as well as Melastomataceae berries. It typically remains perched for long periods before making short flights to grab food from vegetation and branches, and occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks.

Did you know?

Although the species has been called the 'shrike-like cotinga' due to its appearance, taxonomists have determined that only a few characteristics actually overlap with shrikes.