Flame-breasted Fruit-Dove
Ramphiculus marchei
A fairly large dove of foothill and low-elevation montane forest canopy. Pale gray from the belly to the sides of the chest and neck, with a sooty back and cheek, an orange chest patch with dark red below, and a pink crown and mark across the flight feathers. Similar to the Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove, but Flame-breasted has an orange rather than yellow chest and a dark pink crown. Song is a deep, rising-then-falling “oo-woo.” Takes flight with loud wing claps.
Identification
It is described on EBird as "A fairly large dove. Pale gray from the belly to the sides of the chest and neck, with a sooty back and cheek, an orange chest patch with dark red below, and a pink crown and mark across the flight feathers. Similar to the Yellow-breasted Fruit-Dove, but Flame-breasted has an orange rather than yellow chest and a dark pink crown. Song is a deep, rising-then-falling 'oo-woo'." Takes flight with loud wing claps."
Taxonomy
Genus: Ramphiculus; Family: Columbidae; Order: Columbiformes.
- Scientific name
- Ramphiculus marchei
- Authority
- Oustalet, 1880
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ramphiculus
Range and habitat
It is known in lowland and hill dipterocarp forest and mid-montane forest from 450-1,500 m with some sparse records in montane mossy forests. It is only found in primary forest being fairly sensitive and unable to thrive in secondary forest.<p>This is now listed vulnerable with 2,500 to 9,999 mature individuals left in the wild. It is threatened by habitat loss, poaching for the pet trade, nest disturbance and hunting for food. They have been seen being sold in illegal online markets on Facebook. Habitat loss is its main threat habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range. Forest cover in the Sierra Madre has declined by 83% since the 1930s and most remaining areas are under logging concessions and may suffer further from major road-building plans. Mount Banahaw is affected land conversion due to quarrying and development for tourism.<p>It occurs in several protected areas but more must be done to protect these areas from poachers and loggers. The International Union for Conservation of Nature recommends more surveys be done to know the full extent of this bird and to make key habitats on Mt. Cetaceo (Cagayan Valley), Infanta, Quezon and Mount Polis as formally protected areas and to promote stricter enforcement of laws designed to stop hunting and trade.<p>Under the Philippine law RA9147, it is completely illegal to hunt these birds or to capture and keep them as pets. As it is Vulnerable species, any violations have harsher punishments including "(c) imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year and/or a fine of One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) to One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against vulnerable species"
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
White-tipped Plantcutter
Phytotoma rutila
Medium-sized, distinctive cotinga of dry, open woodlands and grasslands, typically in areas dominated by dense undergrowth. Also found in agricultural fields and shrubby areas. Conspicuous and generally easy to detect. Male has grayish head and upperparts, and a beautiful red-orangish coloration in the underparts. The female is mostly brownish, with dense darker streaking. Feeds mainly on foliage, along with flowers and small fruits.
Song Wren
Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus
Chunky short-tailed wren with long bill. Pale blue skin around eye is distinctive among wrens in range but compare with various antbirds. Note rufous throat and cheek and black barring on wings. Usually found in pairs or small groups. Always close to the ground in forested areas. Heard more often than seen; listen for unique combination of deep whistles and harsher clucking notes.
Malaita Cicadabird
Edolisoma tricolor
The male is a striking tricolored cicadabird: pitch black below and on the face, with a medium-gray cap and back, and a pale-gray bar on the shoulder. The tail is also black. The female is powder-gray with a paler shoulder patch. Found in forest only on the island of Malaita, in the Solomon Islands. Male is similar to Central Melanesian, but distinguished by its paler upperparts and darker underparts. Call is a rasping, upslurred “vvr-reeeoo.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.