Cinnamon-rumped trogon

The cinnamon-rumped trogon (Harpactes orrhophaeus) is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae or Trogons which are some of the most colourful birds on Earth especially the quetzals found in the Neotropics. There is very little known about this family of birds as a whole and even less information on the cinnamon-rumped trogon.[2]

Cinnamon-rumped trogon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Trogoniformes
Family: Trogonidae
Genus: Harpactes
Species:
H. orrhophaeus
Binomial name
Harpactes orrhophaeus
(Cabanis & Heine, 1863)

Description

The Cinnamon-rumped trogon is most like the scarlet-rumped trogon. This trogon is found in a similar region and is very difficult to distinguish from the other trogon. The major difference is that the Cinnamon trogon is slightly larger, and also has different colouring with the scarlet-rumped trogon, being nearly completely red and the Cinnamon trogon having its statement cinnamon rump.[3]

Within the cinnamon-rumped trogon species there are two subspecies that are quite similar, one of the subspecies (Harpactes orrhophaeus orrhophaeus) the originally described population is that found mainly in the Thailand and Malaysia region. Whereas the other subspecies (Harpactes orrhophaeus vidua) is found in the north and central regions of Borneo. Both subspecies have a very distinct and clear sexual dimorphism.[4]

The original species normally ranges from about 45-61g and it is about 25cm tall. The males of this species have a black hood, a distinct blue bill, and a narrow head (eyebrows, orbital ring, etc). They received their name of Cinnamon from their pale brown tale and upper body, they also have a white under tail with black borders. Finally the male will have a pink/red underbelly (helpful to differentiate from the female). The female of the original species has a dark brown hood and lighter brown surrounding the eyes. Its torso is lacking in the pink underbelly and instead is entirely a dusty yellow-brown colour. The juvenile normally emulates the female and therefore it is difficult to differentiate the sex of the bird at a younger age.[4]

The secondary/vidua species is quite similar and difficult to tell apart from the original although there are a few differences. They overall have a larger breast, the female tends to have an overall darker colouring as well as more light brown on the face. Although the only real way to currently differentiate the two subspecies is geographically.[4]

To properly identify the species of a trogon from the rest of the possible species it may be useful to view the Trogon’s flight feathers seeing as these normally do not peel off even when transitioning from juvenile to adult. Therefore these would always dictate one species seeing as they do not share the same colouring. In order to determine the birds age it would be favourable to view the tails patterns since they may be able to dictate their age.[5]

Taxonomy

The Cinnamon-rumped trogon is a part of the family Trogons (Trogonidae) made up of 43 species. Within the order Trogoniformes the only family present is Trogonidae meaning that this family of birds is quite unique with no living relatives near at hand.[2] The trogon family is originally from Eurasia (before the continents divided) during the Palaeogene era. The family then spread throughout Laurasia and Africa. Finally, they split into the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and America. It is thought that this occurred because of the cooling of the world and the way that the habitats were affected by this. The Trogons having specific necessities swarmed to surer areas.[6]

This family has been around for quite a long time and does have some associations to other orders although they are not concrete. If Trogons were to be grouped with other families this would result in Coraciiformes, Piciformes and Coliiformes being grouped in with them. None of these affiliations have been properly proved but the main way to determine Trogon relationships is through geography.[7]

Habitat and Distribution

The cinnamon-rumped trogon is found in the Southeast of Asia specifically in Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Borneo. In peninsular Malaysia and Thailand they are often found 2-4m up in the shrubs/trees. In Borneo they have been found to go higher up in the trees, to about 1000-1400m high. In these regions they are primarily in the lowlands and hills favouring forests primarily full of Dipterocarps (a family of trees encompassing quite a few species). They can also be found in peat swamp forests normally this would occur in Brunei where they are rarely found.[4] These peat swamp forests tend to be very humid as well as near mangroves. These forests are well known for their large amounts of decaying vegetation.[3]

The cinnamon-rumped trogon does not migrate throughout the year and will instead remain in its domain year round.[4]

Behaviour

Vocalization

The Cinnamon-rumped trogon has a short sharp cry that is normally repeated about 4-5 times during a call. This cry sounds like "ta-y-aup-ta-y-aup" which will then be repeated. There is normally a pause of about 10-15 seconds between these calls. They are also known for a second call that is more of a purr not unlike an alarm. These various vocalization are used for different scenarios although it is not clear what exactly those are.[3]Although trogons have a recognizable group call that occurs only during breeding season.[8]

Diet

Cinnamon-rumped trogons have a diet that consists mostly of insects. This is not true for all trogons, although those found in the South of Asia are insectivores. They mostly enjoy cicadas and many phasmids,[3] and will also sometimes eat stick and leaf insects.[4] This species will hunt alone but has also been noted to sometimes hunt in smaller groups.[3]

Reproduction

The cinnamon-rumped trogon breeds during the months of March, April and June in Malaysia, although in Borneo this mainly occurs during the month of March. This species of trogon will normally have its nests in the lower parts of rotten trees at about 1-1.5 m high.[4] Here they will create their own holes/cavities to be used as a nesting site.[9] They will normally produce 2 eggs per nesting attempt, these would then be incubated by the parents.[3]

During this season trogons will form calling groups where they will intermingle between sexes and preform their cries to each other. It has been thought that this could be a mating tactic and may also be used in order to find spots for their nests. While they are calling each other they will also engage in a racing performance normally instigated by the males, were they will race both the females and males. Throughout the performance there are normally 3-10 males and fewer females chasing each other from tree to tree while constantly calling.[8]

Status and Conservation

The cinnamon-rumped trogon is not currently considered under threat although they are said to be near threatened and to have decreasing populations. In Thailand their habitats are being threatened and they only have 3 protected regions in which to survive. In Malaysia the Cinnamon-rumped trogon has begun to appear more often in its normal environment. Seeing as these environments are becoming more of a rarity it is assumed that habitat loss will also threaten those found in Malaysia.[4] Until recently this species was protected by its habitats, that provided them with quite a bit of cover. Unfortunately this is no longer really the case, deforestation has become rampant in Asia. This species has always been known as rare and therefore the fact that it is near threatened is very concerning and could mean potential extinction unless the proper precautions are taken. [3]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Harpactes orrhophaeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22682845A92963777. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682845A92963777.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Moyle, Robert G. (2005-03-21). "Phylogeny and biogeographical history of Trogoniformes, a pantropical bird order: PHYLOGENY OF TROGONIFORMES". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 84 (4): 725–738. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.2005.00435.x.
  3. Oiseaux.net. "Trogon cannelle - Harpactes orrhophaeus - Cinnamon-rumped Trogon". www.oiseaux.net. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  4. "Shibboleth Authentication Request". login.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca. doi:10.2173/bow.cirtro1.01. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  5. Johnson, Erik I.; Wolfe, Jared D. (2017-10-16), "Introduction to This Guide", Molt in Neotropical Birds, Boca Raton : Taylor & Francis, 2017. | Series: Studies in avian biology: CRC Press, pp. 3–20, retrieved 2023-10-19{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. Dickens, Jeremy Kenneth; Bitton, Pierre-Paul; Bravo, Gustavo A; Silveira, Luís Fábio (2021-09-24). "Species limits, patterns of secondary contact and a new species in the Trogon rufus complex (Aves: Trogonidae)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 193 (2): 499–540. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa169. ISSN 0024-4082.
  7. Winkler, David W.; Billerman, Shawn M.; Lovette, Irby J. (2020-03-04), Billerman, Shawn M.; Keeney, Brooke K.; Rodewald, Paul G.; Schulenberg, Thomas S. (eds.), "Trogons (Trogonidae)", Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, doi:10.2173/bow.trogon1.01, retrieved 2023-10-19
  8. Riehl, Christina (June 2008). "Communal Calling And Prospecting By Black-Headed Trogons (Trogon melanocephalus)". The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 120 (2): 248–255. doi:10.1676/07-025.1. ISSN 1559-4491.
  9. Greeney, Harold F. (2020-03-04), "Amazonian Trogon (Trogon ramonianus)", Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, retrieved 2023-10-19
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