Mystery Songbird that Loves Swamps

Last week we met our first created kind, the shoebill, a large wading bird from Africa. As we wrapped up last week, I gave you all a clue about this week’s created kind. Did anyone figure it out? Let us know!

This week we’re looking at a relatively understudied songbird. Currently, it is in its own family, but ornithologists (scientists who study birds) aren’t sure if it belongs on its own or with other organisms. Baraminologists (if you don’t remember that word, go back and review week one) don’t have enough information either, so to make sure we did not underestimate, we put this species in its own kind.

This species loves swamps and wetlands and is found in many habitats across South America and Panama. Only three South American nations do not contain at least a few populations of this colorful bird. It has deep brown plumage, with a lighter brown underside and a distinctive jet back cap. It has a very distinctive chirp, which it uses to communicate with its mate as well as engage in something called antiphonal dueting. This is a form of bird singing that occurs when one member of a pair sings and, when they stop, their mate immediately continues the song. Sometimes, it is so well-practiced that it sounds like only one bird is singing, not two.

This species feeds primarily on insects and larvae, which are picked off leaves and plants. The females sit on the eggs while the males provide food. Sometimes one or more adult children of a pair will assist in raising the next generation. The additional helpers might help ensure more babies are successfully raised. Generally, the female lays two eggs, though more have been reported. Sometimes the birds will use discarded snakeskins to protect the nest from predators.

Has anyone figured it out yet? It’s the black-capped donacobius, a beautiful bird from the wetlands of the Amazon river basin. I encourage you to ask your parents to look up its song. You’ll see why I think it is distinctive and special.

Black-Capped Donacobius
Dario Sanches from São Paulo, Brazil, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Want to test your knowledge? Try out this word game!

Stay tuned for next week, when we travel halfway across the globe to look for our next created kind. Your clue for the week is—