Birdlife International–New Caledonia 2007

On year 2007, New Caledonia Post has issued the birdlife stamp series featured the species of threatened birds in their country  Gymnomyza aubryana (Meliphage toulou), Coracina analis (Echenilleur de montagne), and Cagou (Rynochetos jubatus).

Meliphage toulou or Gymnomyza aubryana, 35F,

Gymnomyza aubryana or Meliphage toulou, also known as The Crow Honeyeater  is a very large honeyeater with orange facial wattles. The Crow Honeyeaters have long rounded wings and a long tail and neck. Their bill is long and bicolored- yellow below, black above. It has a loud, ringing sound.

This bird is endemic to New Caledonia and lives in humid forests on hills. It is relatively inconspicuous, and lives either in pairs or alone. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 250 birds left. It forages for invertebrates and nectar in the canopy and midstorey.This bird is critically endangered due to introduced rats.

Echenilleur de montagne or Coracina analis, (75F)

Echenilleur de montagne or Coracina analis also known as The New Caledonian Cuckooshrike  is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family. This species is endemic to New Caledonia where it occurs on the islands of Grande Terre and Ile des Pins.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist mountain.The global population was estimated at 10,000-20,000 individuals, based on surveys from 2003-2006, and it is suspected to be declining.It inhabits dense primary mountain forest primarily above 600 m but also down to 200 m in some areas, and is usually restricted to larger forest fragments.

Cagou or Rhynochetos jubatus (110F)

Cagou or Rhynochetos jubatus is a crested, long-legged, and bluish-grey bird endemic to the dense mountain forests of New Caledonia. Cagou is a ground-living bird about the size of a chicken found in the forests and shrubland of New Caledonia. Its plumage is unusually bright for a bird of the forest floor; ash-grey and white coloured. It is nearly flightless, using its wings for displays and for moving quickly through the forest. It can also use them to glide when fleeing danger. The wings  lack the musculature for flight. Cagou is exclusively carnivorous, feeding on a variety of animals with annelid worms, snails and lizards being amongst the most important prey items. Also taken are larvae, spiders, centipedes and insects such as grasshoppers, bugs, and beetles. Its initial decline was caused by subsistence hunting, and by capture as pets. They also suffer from habitat loss, caused by mining and forestry. Cagou is listed as endangered birds and  full protected in New Caledonia.