Distribution, Habits and Nest of Chenorhamphus grayi. A Malurid Endemic to New Guinea

Abstract

The fairy-wren Chenorhamphus grayi belongs to a little-known uncommon monotypic genus endemic to New Guinea. I observed it in the North Coastal Range and Gauttier Mts and discovered its nest. About thirty specimens exist. Chenorhamphus is confined to northern New Guinea from Salawati and the Vogelkop east to 143°E in the Sepik region, mainly in hills up to 1,000 metres. It forages in monospecific parties in the understorey and ground layer of primary rainforest, specially at small natural openings. In the Gauttier Mts I found three parties along a transect of eight kilometres. The nest, voice and weight are described, as are niche differences from other New Guinean malurids.