Kinglet Calyptura
Encyclopedia
The Kinglet Calyptura (Calyptura cristata) is a small passerine
bird. It is the only member of the genus
Calyptura. It has traditionally been considered a member of the family Cotingidae, but following the move of several species from this family to Tityridae
- including the purpletufts which traditionally are considered allied to the Kinglet Calyptura - the family placement is unclear. It is therefore considered incertae sedis
by SACC.
It is endemic to Atlantic forest in south-eastern Brazil
. For a long time this species was feared to be extinct, as it went unrecorded during the 20th century until two birds were observed in Serra dos Órgãos
on several days in October 1996. Since these sighting, there have not been any confirmed records, although at least one recent - but unconfirmed - record exists from near Ubatuba. Consequently, it is considered critically endangered
by BirdLife International
.
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird. It is the only member of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Calyptura. It has traditionally been considered a member of the family Cotingidae, but following the move of several species from this family to Tityridae
Tityridae
Tityridae is family of suboscine passerine birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The approximately 30 species in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae and Cotingidae . As yet, no widely accepted common name exists for the family, although Tityras...
- including the purpletufts which traditionally are considered allied to the Kinglet Calyptura - the family placement is unclear. It is therefore considered incertae sedis
Incertae sedis
, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any...
by SACC.
It is endemic to Atlantic forest in south-eastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. For a long time this species was feared to be extinct, as it went unrecorded during the 20th century until two birds were observed in Serra dos Órgãos
Serra dos Órgãos
Serra dos Órgãos is a mountain range in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which was turned into a national park in 1939. It is located about a one-hour drive from the city of Rio de Janeiro....
on several days in October 1996. Since these sighting, there have not been any confirmed records, although at least one recent - but unconfirmed - record exists from near Ubatuba. Consequently, it is considered critically endangered
Critically endangered
Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
.