Adults are sexually monomorphic, while juveniles are distinguishable due to a lack of black rear band on the face. Adult birds are approximately 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length with a cream coloured eye, grey legs and a stubby dark grey bill of finch-like appearance. This species displays the characteristic facial markings of the genus a white band across the forehead, with a darker streak along the top edge. A grey wash on the belly is sometimes present, along with a grey or rufous tinge to the flanks. The southern whiteface is a stocky thornbill-like bird with a brown dorsum, white belly, dark brown wings and a black tail with narrow white tip. The marked difference in the size and shape of the whiteface beak compared with that of the scrubtit has been attributed to an increased dietary intake of seeds, requiring a more robust bill. Recent phylogenetic study has found whitefaces to be most closely related to the scrubtit ( Acanthornis magnus), a monotypic Tasmanian species similar in appearance to Sericornis scrubwrens. The specific epithet derives from Ancient Greek leukos 'white' and opsis 'face'. The generic name derives from the Ancient Greek apheles 'simple' and kephale 'head'.
nigricincta) and chestnut-breasted whiteface ( A. There are three species within the Aphelocephala, including the southern whiteface, banded whiteface ( A. Originally classified as genus Xerophila, the whitefaces were later reclassified when it was noted that a group of molluscs had already been ascribed that name and thus, are now listed as genus Aphelocephala.
0 kommentar(er)
