Malia (bird)

Malia
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Timaliidae
Genus:	Malia Schlegel, 1880
Species:	M. grata
Binomial name
Malia grata Schlegel, 1881

The Malia, Malia grata^[2] is a medium-sized (approximately 29 cm long) babbler-like passerine. It has an olive-green plumage, yellowish head and chest, and pinkish-brown bill. The young is duller than adult. It is the only member in the genus Malia.

An Indonesian endemic, the Malia is restricted to montane forests of Sulawesi. Usually, it is found in pairs or small groups of three to seven birds. The diet consists mainly of insects, beetles and other arthropods.

The taxonomy of this species is not certainly known. The Malia has bulbul-like plumage characters, but its behavior is similar to Old World babblers' and it may be a relative of theirs.

Widespread and common in its habitat and range, the Malia is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

References

1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Malia grata. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
2. ^ Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers) Pp. 70 - 291 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• IUCN Red List