Sasia
Sasia is a genus of birds in the woodpecker family Picidae, that are native to the Old World. They are very small, virtually tailless woodpeckers, with a crombec or nuthatch-like appearance and foraging habits. Their habitat is forest and secondary growth.[2]
Sasia | |
---|---|
Sasia abnormis by Gould & Richter | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Dinosauria |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Piciformes |
Family: | Picidae |
Subfamily: | Picumninae |
Genus: | Sasia Hodgson, 1837 |
Type species | |
Sasia ochracea[1] Hodgson, 1837 | |
Species | |
3, see text | |
range of genus |
These species have a flesh orbital ring and a rounded (in cross-section) upper mandible. They have ten rectrices and only three toes (absent first digit, or hallux).[3]
The African piculet has sometimes been included in this genus. It has only eight rectrices and four toes in a zygodactyl arrangement (a weak first digit). It differs from the Asian species in the plumage colour of the adult, but not in the plumage pattern, body anatomy or in habits.[4]
Species
The genus contains two species:[5]
Image | Common name | Scientific name | Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
Rufous piculet | Sasia abnormis | mainly Malaysia and Indonesia | |
White-browed piculet | Sasia ochracea | mainland Southeast Asia | |
Gallery
- Sasia ochracea
by Gould & Richter - Close-up of the head
and tail of S. abnormis
References
- "Picidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
- Stevenson, Terry; Fanshawe, John (2001). Field guide to the birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. London: T. & A.D. Poyser. pp. 280–281. ISBN 9780856610790.
- Gorman, Gerard (2014). Woodpeckers of the World: The Complete Guide (Helm Photographic Guides). London: Bloomsbury. p. 88. ISBN 978-1408147153.
- Delacour, J. (January 1951). "The significance of the number of toes in some woodpeckers and kingfishers" (PDF). The Auk. 68 (1): 49–51. doi:10.2307/4080797. JSTOR 4080797. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2023). "Woodpeckers". IOC World Bird List Version 13.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 29 January 2023.