Whiskered flowerpecker

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Whiskered flowerpecker
Whiskered Flowerpecker Davao del Sur.jpg

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Dicaeidae
Genus: Dicaeum
Species:
D. proprium
Binomial name
Dicaeum proprium
Ripley & Rabor, 1966

The whiskered flowerpecker (Dicaeum proprium) is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss.


Description and Taxonomy[]

A skin from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center

EBird describes the bird as "A tiny bird of lower montane forest and edge on Mindanao, where it feeds on mistletoe. Glossy black above and brown below, with a whitish moustache stripe bordered below by a thin black line, a thin white throat patch, and a white line on the sides. Female has a blackish-brown crown and upperparts. Distinguished from all other flowerpeckers by its brown underparts. Voice is a soft “chup” or harsh “juk!”"[2] Often seen feeding on fruiting and flowering trees where it feeds on fruit, nectar, and pollen.[3] They are apparently dependent on mistletoe flowers.[4]

Subspecies[]

Two subspecies are recognized

  • Dicaeum nigrilore nigrilore: : Found in West, Central and Southern Mindanao ; more visible yellow rump
  • Dicaeum nigrilore diuatae: Found in Northeast Mindanao; overall darker green and drabber in overall color and greenish yellow rump

and a possible third subspecies found in Southeast Mindanao which has a yellowish-green head. Further study needed on this potential subspecies.[4]

Habitat and Conservation Status[]

It inhabits tropical moist primary and secondary sub-montane and montane forest and forest edge 1,000 masl where they are dependent on mistletoe flowers.

IUCN has assessed this bird as a least-concern species. Despite a limited range, it is said to be locally common in its range. As it occurs in rugged and inaccessible mountains, this has allowed a large portion of its habitat to remain intact. It is also able to tolerate degraded forest. However, the population is still said to be declining, it is still affected by habitat loss through deforestation, mining, land conversion and slash-and-burn - just not to the same extent as lowland forest. [5]


References[]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Dicaeum proprium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22717481A118495619. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22717481A118495619.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Whiskered Flowerpecker". Ebird.
  3. ^ "Whiskered Flowerpecker (Dicaeum proprium)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
  4. ^ a b Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Field Guides. pp. 342–343.
  5. ^ International), BirdLife International (BirdLife (2016-10-01). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dicaeum nigrilore". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2021-09-09.


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