Striated wren-babbler
Species of bird
| Striated wren-babbler | |
|---|---|
 | |
Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Pellorneidae |
| Genus: | Ptilocichla |
| Species: | P. mindanensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Ptilocichla mindanensis (Blasius, 1890) | |
The striated wren-babbler (Ptilocichla mindanensis) is a species of passerine bird in the Pellorneidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines found on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Basilan, Dinagat Islands and Mindanao. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and the lower reaches of tropical moist montane forest.[2]
Description and taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest floor or dense undergrowth. Warm brown on the upperparts, crown, and sides, with fine buff streaks on the sides and blackish underparts heavily streaked white. Note the contrasting white throat, the black-and-white moustache stripes, and the white stripe from above the eye to the back of the head. Unmistakable in range. Voice includes a variety of medium-pitched whistles, including repeated piping, downslurred notes, plus complex jumbled songs and imitations of other bird species."[3]
Subspecies
Four subspecies are recognized:
- P. m mindanensis – Found on Mindanao except Zamboanga Peninsula; pale streaking
- P. m. basilanica – Found on Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan; similar to the nominate with pale streaking and back
- P. m. minuta – Found on Leyte and Samar; smaller wih darker shaft streaks
- P. m. fortichi – Found on Bohol; similar to minuta but crown and back is darker
It is presumed to feed on invertebrates nad are usually found singly but can form small parties of up to 4 individuals.
Habitat and conservation status
It is found in tropical moist lowland forest with dense understory up to 1,400 meters above sea level but more common below 1,000 meters. Forages in the low forest floor and turning over leaves.[2]
IUCN has assessed this bird as least-concern species but the population is decreasing. This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range. The most affected part of its range is Bohol which only has 4% forest cover remaining.
Occurs in a few protected areas like Pasonanca Natural Park, Mount Apo and Mount Kitanglad on Mindanao, Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape in Bohol and Samar Island Natural Park but actual protection and enforcement from illegal logging and hunting are lax[4]
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Ptilocichla mindanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22716014A132110014. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22716014A132110014.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b Collar, Nigel; Robson, Craig (2020). "Striated Wren-Babbler (Ptilocichla mindanensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.stwbab2.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ "Striated Wren-Babbler - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ IUCN (2018-08-09). Ptilocichla mindanensis: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22716014A132110014 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2018-2.rlts.t22716014a132110014.en.
Further reading
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ptilocichla mindanensis.
- Collar, N. J. & Robson, C. 2007. Family Timaliidae (Babblers) pp. 70 – 291 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
