Identification:
Adult: Forehead gray-brown with black-brown markings between the feathers behind the eye and on the sides of the head. Crown and nape dark reddish-brown; shoulders, back, and flanks grayish-yellow-brown. Upper tail coverts grayish-yellow-brown. Underside of the tail dark brown. Lesser and median wing coverts grayish-yellow-brown; greater wing coverts yellow-brown with a broad dark reddish-brown band; inner webs of the feathers at the carpal joint black; primary coverts black. Area in front of the eye black; ear coverts gray; center and sides of the breast gray and silvery gray. Belly to undertail coverts grayish-yellow-brown. Horn-black beak; dark brown legs; dark brown irises.
Biology and Ecology:
Usually found in pairs or small flocks; very shy. Habitat is broadleaf evergreen forests on high mountains with good ground cover. Many plant species live symbiotically on tree trunks. Distributed at altitudes above 2,000m. Biology is poorly understood.
Distribution:
In Vietnam: Quang Nam (Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve), Kontum (forest areas of Kon Plong Forestry).
Worldwide: Endemic to Vietnam.
Value:
Endemic species of Vietnam. Of scientific value.
Status:
Endemic to Vietnam. Newly described to science in 1999, first discovered on Ngoc Linh Mountain (Kontum and Quang Nam), then found in high mountain forests of Kon Plong Forestry (Kontum). Uncommon in the high-altitude range of distribution. Listed in the Asian Red Book (2001) as VU (Vulnerable).
Ranking:
VU D1
Conservation Measures:
Currently protected in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserves (Kontum) and the proposed Ngoc Linh (Quang Nam) and Kon Plong (Kontum) Nature Reserves.