Rusty Pitohui Pseudorectes ferrugineus Scientific name definitions

25·5–28·5 cm; 77–110 g. Nominate race has crown and side of head (to below orbit) and upperparts brown, tinged rufous, uppertail-coverts rufous; remiges dusky brown, edged light brown, upperwing-coverts brown, tinged rufous; tail rufous; light rusty buff below, throat paler; iris white, whitish-buff or straw-coloured; bill black; legs grey. Sexes alike. Immature is similar to adult, but iris dark. Race <em>leucorhynchus</em> is much darker than nominate, with bill greyish-white; fuscus is similar but darker, particularly on upperparts; brevipennis is also darker than nominate, but paler than previous two, with bill black; holerythrus is darker than nominate but paler than last; clarus is paler than nominate.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Rainforest, monsoon forest, gallery forest, tall secondary growth, sometimes extending into disturbed areas and teak (Tectona) plantations adjacent to forest edge. Lowlands and hills to 800 m, locally to 1100 m.

Insects (including larvae) and fruit. Frequents understorey to lower canopy. Feeds in flocks, with or without other species. Foraging heights when feeding alone differ from those when with mixed-species flock, latter also different when Papuan Babbler (Garritornis isidorei) present: individually, 58% of foraging in main canopy, 21% in subcanopy and 21% in understorey; in mixed flocks with babblers, 48% in canopy, 30% in subcanopy and 22% in understorey, but without babblers respective figures are 78%, 11% and 11%. Captures prey by gleaning and snatching from surface of leaves, bark, vine and accumulated debris in trees; rarely feeds on ground.

Song a loud “wwít-oo”, repeated several times with increasing loudness, and many varied phrases, often repeated, sometimes increasing in volume, e.g. “whútí-whútí-whútí”, “whútí-whútí-téów” and “wúhíé-whúhíé-how-how-how-how”; also a bubbling “whí-hou-hou”. Contact call a low whistled “phew or teuw”, repeated several times; scold a harsh rasping note.