Genus of birds
Sasia |
|
Sasia abnormis by Gould & Richter |
Scientific classification |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Piciformes |
Family: | Picidae |
Subfamily: | Picumninae |
Genus: | Sasia Hodgson, 1837 |
Type species |
Sasia ochracea[1]
Hodgson, 1837 |
Species |
3, see text |
|
range of genus |
Sasia is a genus of birds in the woodpecker family Picidae, that are native to the Old World. They are very small, virtually tailless woodpeckers, with a crombec or nuthatch-like appearance and foraging habits. Their habitat is forest and secondary growth.[2]
These species have a flesh orbital ring and a rounded (in cross-section) upper mandible. They have ten rectrices and only three toes (absent first digit, or hallux).[3]
The African piculet has sometimes been included in this genus. It has only eight rectrices and four toes in a zygodactyl arrangement (a weak first digit). It differs from the Asian species in the plumage colour of the adult, but not in the plumage pattern, body anatomy or in habits.[4]
Species
The genus contains two species:[5]
Gallery
-
Sasia ochracea
by Gould & Richter
-
Close-up of the head
and tail of S. abnormis
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sasia.