Northern Silvery-Kingfisher
Ceyx flumenicola
A small, dashing kingfisher of forested lowland streams in the central Philippines. Overall dark blue in color, more purplish on the underparts, with a creamy throat, a cream-colored spot behind the cheek, an orange spot behind the nostril, a white belly, a pale silvery-blue stripe down the back to the tail, and whitish flecks on the head and wing. Legs bright red. Unmistakable. Voice is a simple, high-pitched “tseep,” often given in flight.
Identification
EBird describes the bird as "A small, dashing kingfisher of forested lowland streams in the central Philippines. Overall dark blue in color, more purplish on the underparts, with a creamy throat, a cream-colored spot behind the cheek, an orange spot behind the nostril, a white belly, a pale silvery-blue stripe down the back to the tail, and whitish flecks on the head and wing. Legs bright red. Unmistakable. Voice is a simple, high-pitched 'tseep', often given in flight."<p>It is differentiated from its southern counterpart by its cream colored throat, cheek and belly versus the bluish-white parts of the Southern silvery kingfisher.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ceyx flumenicola
- Authority
- Steere, 1890
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Ceyx
Range and habitat
It appears to be reliant upon forested streams below 1,000 m and will tolerate secondary and selectively logged forest and even streamside vegetation within coconut plantations, close to forest edge.<p>IUCN has assessed this bird as near threatened with the population being estimatesd at 1,500 to 7,000 mature individuals. 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.<p>Extensive lowland deforestation throughout its range is the chief threat. Only 4% forest cover is estimated to remain on Bohol. Most remaining lowland forest is leased to logging concessions or mining applications. Watercourses with high siltation loads, resulting from deforestation, appear not to hold the species, and riverine pollution is likely to have a similar impact. Tree-cutting, agricultural expansion, including pesticide (specifically Carbofuran) contamination from commercial growing of banana, and soil erosion are all threats to Rajah Sikatuna National Park (Bohol), a key sites for the species. Conversion of terminalia forest into rice fields and oil palm plantation is driving habitat loss elsewhere. Current laws protecting riverine habitats are weak and require revision.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Sharpe's Drongo
Dicrurus sharpei
Small drongo with a moderately notched tail. Found in open forest, thick woodland, and thickets. Not as bold or conspicuous as the common Fork-tailed Drongo. Often in pairs. Similar to Velvet-mantled and Fork-tailed Drongos, but smaller, with a less forked tail. Very similar to Shining Drongo, but Sharpe’s has less glossy plumage, a redder eye, and a more noticeably forked tail, and prefers drier habitats. Also similar to Square-tailed Drongo, but separated by range. Distinguished from black-flycatchers by heavier bill and red eye. Upright posture is unlike other all-black mid-sized birds. Song is an explosive and highly variable mix of whistles, squeals, and rasps, often delivered simultaneously by a pair.
Blue-throated Goldentail
Chlorestes eliciae
Uncommon and local, rather small hummingbird of humid forest edge, plantations, and woodlands in tropical lowlands and foothills. Perches and feeds mainly at middle to upper levels in shady understory and at edges. Note the bright red bill and greenish-gold tail (which often looks grayish). Male has violet gorget. Female has violet throat spotting, but often these areas look rather dull and grayish unless they catch the light.
Sabine's Puffback
Dryoscopus sabini
A relatively large-billed shrike-like bird primarily found in lowland forest canopy. Male is white below and iridescent black above except for a white rump. The female is overall reddish brown, with more reddish wings and a grayish hood. Similar to several bicolored shrikelike birds in the region, but note Sabine’s Puffback’s large bill, striking sexual dimorphism, and unique song, which consists of a distinctive series of long whistles descending in pitch before arriving at a single repeated pitch, growing louder, and then ending suddenly. Songs can sometimes last several minutes, and are more reminiscent of some Yellow Longbill songs than of the songs of other puffbacks. Calls include typical puffback-like rattles and harsh calls.
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