Anthornis
Genus of birds / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anthornis is a bird genus in the honeyeater family (Meliphagidae). Its members are called bellbirds. According to genetic data, it is a sister genus to Prosthemadera.[2]
Quick Facts Anthornis, Scientific classification ...
Anthornis | |
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New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Meliphagidae |
Genus: | Anthornis G.R. Gray, 1840 |
Type species | |
The New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura)[1] | |
Species | |
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It contains the following species:
- New Zealand bellbird, Anthornis melanura
- Chatham bellbird, Anthornis melanocephala (extinct)[3]
They are named bellbirds because their call sounds like a bell. Young male bellbirds copy the calls of neighbouring older males. Sometimes two males can sing in almost perfect unison because one has been copying the other.