Population: Upwards of 300 individuals

Size: 16 – 24cm long, 30-34cm wingspan

Diet: various parasitic invertebrates

Call: Extremely high-pitched monotone pings with much rhythmic variation

Threat Level: Low

By the far the most numerous SuperFauna species, Cone Sparrows fulfil a similar role to that of Africa’s Oxpeckers (Baphugus) by providing parasite removal for larger animals. They seem to have a symbiotic relationship with Dinornis barbalonga, which provides nesting sites, protection from predators and a food source for the Cone Sparrows in exchange for their parasite removal service. They have also been seen carrying out this behaviour with other species such as Buceros capitecavo, although these do not seem to be continuous relationships as with Dinornis barbalonga which will have a constant rotating cohort of Cone Sparrows within its vicinity.

On the tip of their conical headpieces is a small hole through which parasites are sucked up via a powerful vacuum. Once a parasite is ingested, a high-pitched whirring can be heard within the cone, suggesting the presence of an internal grinding or shredding device by which food is processed. This headpiece functions somewhat similarly to that found on Falco stridensiphonus, wherein matter is sucked up into some kind of processing mechanism providing fuel for the overall contraption. This links them to both Falco stridensiphonus and Aegithalos coronatus, all having intricately designed headgear of unknown make in addition to songs which are metallic in timbre.  Cone Sparrows are highly playful creatures, chasing one another around in the air and rubbing their golden metallic cones together to create strange, harmonic ringing sounds.

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