Philippine Hanging-Parrot
Loriculus philippensis
A very small parrot of lowland and foothill wooded areas. Overall green in color with a red forehead and rump, an orange bill, orange legs, and a small orange patch on the back of the head. Male has variable amounts of orange or red on the crown and a large orange chest patch, whereas the female has a bluish face. Note the long, pointed upper bill. Similar in length to Guaiabero, but longer-tailed and smaller-bodied. Voice includes a pulsing series of three or more notes: “tsik-tsik-tsik!”
Identification
Philippine hanging parrots are about 14 cm (5.5 in) long, weigh 32–40 g, and have a short rounded tail. They are mainly green with areas of red, orange, yellow, and blue varying between subspecies. The forehead is red and the irises are dark brown. Adults have red beaks and orange legs except for Loriculus (philippensis) bonapartei which have black beaks and grey legs. They are sexually dimorphic with only the males having red on their chin or upper chest, except for the Loriculus (philippensis) camiguinensis in which neither the male or female has a red bib or chest. Juveniles have less red on their heads and paler beaks, but otherwise resemble the female.
Taxonomy
The species or species complex was initially described by Statius Müller in 1776. The exact taxonomy listing is unclear.<p>Loriculus philippensis (Statius Muller) 1776<p>In 2006, hanging parrots living on the island of Camiguin, off the northern coast of Mindanao, were described and thought to have a separate identity, Loriculus (philippensis) camiguinensis; however, more research and DNA analysis is required to clarify their taxonomy. There is also uncertainty over the taxonomy of Loriculus (philippensis) bonapartei which has been classified as a subspecies or a species in different classifications.
- Scientific name
- Loriculus philippensis
- Authority
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Loriculus
Range and habitat
The Philippine hanging parrot is native to the Philippines except the Sulu Archipelago and it is not widespread on Palawan. The different subspecies are native to different islands, and some subspecies are rare or almost extinct. Trading of birds between the islands for pets has resulted in escaped pets living on different islands to where they originated.<p>Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, bamboo forest and tropical moist montane forest. It also occupies human-modified habitats including coconut groves and secondary forest. It is most common in lowland areas, being rare above 1250 m.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Zanzibar Red Bishop
Euplectes nigroventris
Breeding males are spectacular birds with completely black underparts and mostly orange-red upperparts. Females and non-breeding males are brown and streaky. Breeds in moist areas including marshes, flooded grassland, and cultivated areas. Non-breeding flocks are found in many open habitats, and often mix with other species. The song is long and rattling, and the typical calls are rough “tek” notes. Breeding males are easily identified by their completely black underparts. Non-breeding males and females are very similar to other bishops, but are smaller than most other bishops, and lack the prominent yellow edges to the wing feathers of Fire-fronted Bishop.
Orange Ground-Thrush
Geokichla gurneyi
Large, brown-backed, orange-breasted thrush with bold white wingbars. Found in the understory of middle- and high-elevation forest. Generally shy and scarce. The song is musical and typically thrush-like: a chatty and cheerful series of whistles. The call is a very thin, rising trill. Very similar to Abyssinian Ground-Thrush, but has a different pattern on the head: an olive crown, black bar below the eye, and a broken white eye ring.
Jerdon's Bushlark
Plocealauda affinis
A chunky brown bird with a short tail and a big, heavy bill. It has strong streaking above and arrow-like spots on the breast. The facial pattern is messy, with dark cheeks and no distinct eyebrow. Juveniles are often paler overall. Similar to Indian and Singing Bushlarks, but Jerdon’s has stronger streaking, looks rounder, and has a shorter tail than either of the others. Similar in proportions to Bengal Bushlark, but Jerdon’s Bushlark is paler, with browner wings. It inhabits open scrub and often perches on trees and wires. The song consists of high-pitched whistles, buzzy trills, and rattles.
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