Stresemann's bristlefront

The Stresemann's bristlefront (Merulaxis stresemanni) is a critically endangered species of bird in the family Rhinocryptidae. It is endemic to Brazil.

Stresemann's bristlefront
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Rhinocryptidae
Genus: Merulaxis
Species:
M. stresemanni
Binomial name
Merulaxis stresemanni
Sick, 1960

Description

The Stressemanns bristlefront is commonly known as the rarest bird on earth. This is a medium-sized, long-tailed bird with distinctive forehead bristles. It measures 20 cm (7.9 in). The male is all slaty-plumbeous with dark rufous-chestnut rump, uppertail-coverts and vent. The namesake features are long, pointed bristles on the forehead. The female is cinnamon-brown above, with a duskier tail, and bright cinnamon-rufous below.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The birds' natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss, and the Mata do Passarinho Reserve is the last known area to house Stresemann's bristlefront. Since an extensive search performed in 2019, it is hypothesized that only a single member remains, according to the American Bird Conservancy. The Atlantic forest reserve is in the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia and contains primary forest as well as secondary forest, and is an island of forest surrounded by farmland.[3]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2013). "Merulaxis stresemanni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. BirdLife species factsheet for Merulaxis stresemanni
  3. "Expansion of Brazilian reserve protects some of the world's rarest birds". Birdguides. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
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