Greater Melampitta
Megalampitta gigantea
Greater Melampitta (Megalampitta gigantea) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
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The Greater Melampitta (Megalampitta gigantea) is a member of the Melampittidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 205 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Melampittidae Melampittas
- Genus Megalampitta
- Species gigantea
Where it lives
Disjunct localities in northwestern, southwestern, central, north-central and southeastern New Guinea
Quick facts
- Weight
- 205 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Melampittidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Greater Melampitta is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Greater Melampitta is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Greater Melampitta (Megalampitta gigantea) is a species of bird in the Melampittidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU disjunct localities in nw, sw, c, nc and se New Guinea.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 205 g, with a wing length of about 12.9 cm and a tail of around 11.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 8,373 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Greater Melampitta?
The Greater Melampitta is a large bird that weighs around 205 g.
Where does the Greater Melampitta live?
The Greater Melampitta is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU disjunct localities in nw, sw, c, nc and se New Guinea, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Greater Melampitta belong to?
The Greater Melampitta (Megalampitta gigantea) belongs to the Melampittidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Greater Melampitta eat?
The Greater Melampitta is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Greater Melampitta migrate?
The Greater Melampitta is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Greater Melampitta endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Greater Melampitta make?
1 real field recording of the Greater Melampitta — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Greater Melampitta's range?
The Greater Melampitta has a mapped global range of about 8,373 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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