Rifleman

A rifleman is an infantry soldier armed with a rifled long gun. Although the rifleman role had its origin with 16th century hand cannoneers and 17th century musketeers, the term originated in the 18th century with the introduction of the rifled musket. By the mid-19th century, entire regiments of riflemen were formed and became the mainstay of all standard infantry, and rifleman became a generic term for any common infantryman.

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Distribution

Region

New Zealand

Typical Environment

Occurs on the North, South, and some offshore islands, most commonly in mature native forests. Prefers beech and podocarp-broadleaf forests, but also uses subalpine scrub and regenerating bush where old trees and mossy substrates are available. Often associated with trunks, branches, and bark crevices where it can glean invertebrates. Nest sites are typically natural cavities, holes, or spaces behind loose bark in standing trees.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1400 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size7–9 cm

Wing Span12–14 cm

Male Weight0.006 kg

Female Weight0.007 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The rifleman (tītipounamu) is New Zealand’s smallest bird and one of the last surviving New Zealand wrens. Its English name is said to reference the greenish plumage reminiscent of 19th‑century riflemen uniforms. It forages like a tiny treecreeper, climbing trunks and branches to glean insects with a fine upcurved bill. Its calls are extremely high‑pitched, often near the upper limit of human hearing.

Gallery

Green jacketed British Army rifleman aiming a Baker rifle, c. 1803

Indonesian Army (TNI AD) 330th Infantry Battalion, 17th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Army Strategic Reserve Command (KOSTRAD)

A historical reenactment with the British 95th Rifles regiment.

Uniform of the Robin Hood Rifles depicted on a 1939 cigarette card

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, escorted by a Bermuda Militia Artillery officer in Royal Artillery blue No. 1 Dress, inspects green-uniformed riflemen of the Bermuda Rifles in 1961

Riflemen of the War of 1812 in green fringed hunting shirts. Officer and sergeant in regulation gray. A general staff officer stands in the left foreground; behind him a mounted general officer.

Behaviour

Temperament

active and alert

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small family parties that keep close contact while foraging. Forms long-term pair bonds and nests in tree cavities lined with moss, feathers, and plant fibers. Both parents feed the young and defend a small territory year-round.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

High, thin, and very rapidly delivered notes and trills, with much of the energy at very high frequencies. Contact calls are sharp, almost whispery ticks used constantly while moving through foliage.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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Ring-necked francolin

The ring-necked francolin is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Rarer than previously believed, it was uplisted from a species of Least Concern to Near Threatened status in the 2007 IUCN Red List. This status persisted until the most recent assessment on 8th July 2024, when it was returned to Least Concern.