Rufous-naped Bellbird Aleadryas rufinucha Scientific name definitions

16·5–18 cm; 38–42 g. Nominate race has head and hindneck grey, rufous nape patch; upperparts dull yellowish-olive, flight-feathers blackish-brown, edged dull yellowish-olive, upperwing-coverts dull yellowish-olive, tail olive-brown; centre of chin dull white, throat yellow, centre of breast and belly white to creamy white, diffusely separated from olive sides of breast and belly and flanks, thighs dusky brown; iris whitish, buffy, yellowish or dark brown; bill black; legs brownish-grey to grey. Sexes alike; iris colour apparently palest in adult male. Juvenile is extensively reddish-chestnut, with iris dark brown, bill dark horn-brown; immature like adult but duller, nape and upperparts olive-green, head only slightly greyer, white underparts mottled olive. Race <em>niveifrons</em> has nape patch larger than nominate, upperparts olive-green, forehead white with dark feather centres; gamblei is similar to previous, but dark centres of forehead feathers more extensive, underparts tinged brown; lochmia is also similar, but upperparts darker, flanks grey.

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Mountain forest and secondary growth; 1200–3600 m, mainly 1400–2600 m.

Insects; also worms, and fruit. Credited locally with ability to take large prey. Frequents ground and understorey. Forages extensively on ground (c. 25%), and in undergrowth (c. 60%) and lower storey (c. 15%), occasionally to upper tree levels . Feeds mainly in inner third of trees on trunks and large branches. Creeps along branches and up vertical trunks.

Song of clear ringing whistles or upslurs, either alternating between notes or repeated monotonously for extensive periods. Call is a loud, harsh hiss.