Eastern bald crow [1] , or gray-necked bald crow [1] ( lat. Picathartes oreas ) is a rare species of passerine bird of the Picathartidae family. The population of the species is fragmented throughout Central Africa. The population density is very low. The habitat of the species is becoming less and less due to the depletion of tropical forests. As a result, the species is listed in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
| Eastern Bald Crow |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
| Infrastructure : | Passerida |
| Family: | Picathartidae lowe , 1938 |
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| International scientific name |
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Picathartes oreas reichenow , 1899 |
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The bird is relatively large. The body length is approximately 33 to 38 centimeters, and its noticeably long tail is about 14 centimeters. The weight of an adult bird is from 200 to 250 grams. Sexual dimorphism is absent. The head is red, black and purple. The body has a bluish-gray color, which turns into a silky gray on the neck. The chest and belly are yellow.
In search of prey, birds jump on the forest canopy. They feed on a variety of invertebrates and small vertebrates.
The species is common in southeastern Nigeria, western and southern Cameroon, Gabon, in the continental part of Equatorial Guinea and in southwest Bioco . Mostly birds move in the canopy of the primary rainforest. Breeding sites of birds are very specific. They prefer rocky outcrops to protect nests from rain, falling rocks and predators.