Klang, klang, klang .... The voice boomed like a tolling bell broke the blue sky. The voice came from a tree branch tunable mountain pine (
Casuarina junghuhniana) snaking in the wind spoiled the morning on Monday.
The sound was coming from
garugiwa bird (Pachycephala nudigula), which is a wildlife residents of National Park area in Flores Ende, Flores island, East Nusa Tenggara.
Garugiwa is endemic fauna of Flores, and also part of a total of 49 bird species in the region TN Flores. This national park is also home to 14 species of mammals, four types of snakes, a type of lizard, and two species of molluscs. There are also 78 species of trees are grouped in 36 tribes, which thrives in an area of 5356.50 hectares.
Curious? Do not worry, you can watch birds in the area of the lake
garugiwa three colors Flores, which lies about 54 kilometers east of the town of Ende.
Not too difficult to hear birds chirping and dancing the color of his fur beautiful and charming, which is at 06:00 to 10:00 pm. However, make no mistake the time since the day the bird is increasingly difficult to find, as though swallowed by the earth disappeared. Quiet!
Garugiwa bird is also called by the ethnic community Lio, Ende, as the ghost bird, according to the myth that is believed to be hereditary that the summit crater area of three lakes Flores is a ghost village, which is a gathering place of spirits Lio ethnic citizens who have died.
His voice was loud and shrill, but you do not think it's the body shape garugiwa big bird like the eagle that flies proudly unfurled its wings. These birds form only for the sparrows, tiny adorable.
"From the narrative of my parents, from the first name garugiwa birds, but whatever that means. Residents around here are also called bird spirits, perhaps because of its small so as if there is sound but no bird. Thus, as between being and not. This bird is hard to see because it likes to move and enjoy being at altitude, "said Fabian Laka, villagers Woloara, Ende, who is also one of the workers in TN Flores.
According to Fabian, the parents in the village are also advised that these birds are well guarded because it is very rare and not in other areas. If someone is hurt or kill birds, it is believed the culprit would get cursed or damned.
Bird garugiwa has features that are not owned by any other animal species in environments TN Flores. Is peculiar to this bird has about 22 types of chirp. In terms of number kicauannya there is a difference. Which is in the area with an altitude less than 1,400 meters above sea level (masl) has at least 12 chirp, while garugiwa located at an altitude over 1,400 meters above sea level has about 17 chirp.
MarkingFeather head to the back of the neck black, tawny-colored bottom, while the top and wings brownish yellow, older than the bottom. The tail is black, but not as dark as the color of fur on his head. Part black with a white line on the middle part. In addition, there are black feathers on the neck underneath.
Sometimes the upper fur-crested form when singing loudly, and the front of the neck without feathers and red (sort gelambir) which ballooned when singing. From reference www.arkive.org, birds garugiwa gelambir females do not have in his neck.
When viewed from morphology, from the foot structure, including categories
garugiwa bird perching bird species (
Perching bird). Toes in the front there are three pieces, and one in the back. At the front, middle finger is longer, and two fingers behind the same length. Front and rear fingers gripping the branches or trunks of trees when perched. While the form of its beak, garugiwa including insectivorous birds. These birds are also species of birds loners (solitary). When active, garugiwa like to be on the upper and middle canopy of trees with a height over 10 meters.
From research conducted by a team from the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, chaired by Djuwantoko, of 2 points was observed with a total area of 20.86 ha were surveyed, it is known bird populations in TN
garugiwa Flores as many as 21 tail or one tail per hectare.
During the singing, the bird is moving antarpohon in an area about 500 square meters. However, during the observation by the team, amounting to 8 people (5 member team of experts and three field guides), the
birds garugiwa females are not found. Research conducted in 2009 was about interesting places for tourists to enjoy the bird life in the Park area
garugiwa Flores.
According to Head National Park Sri Mulyani Flores, has so far not much more specific research on avian garugiwa. "Research conducted in 2009 more on certain points to be able to observe birds from vantage garugiwa. While the population is how many, the home range extent, until now not known with certainty. We plan to do research about it in collaboration with experts or academics, "said Sri Mulyani.
The team from UGM is recommended, one important thing to remember
bird-garugiwa is a unique and rare wildlife-needed efforts to protect bird populations is a strict ban on hunting and habitat destruction. In addition, the region in one territory where garugiwa bird perches, breeding or nesting place, efforts should be made free from any interference. These recommendations need to be considered seriously by the TN Flores that this spirit is not extinct bird.
What is clear, at this time if you travel to Lake Flores, you not only enjoy the panoramic beauty of the sunrise from the summit of Mount Flores (1690 masl) or multicolored three crater lakes are stunning, but you can also witness the beauty of the coat color and birdsong garugiwa.
Klang, klang, klang, klang, klang .... It was the distinctive sound of birds garugiwa, which seemed to greet you: "Welcome to the village spirits ...!"
