Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher
Ceyx melanurus
A tiny kingfisher of lowland forests, often near streams. Overall orange, brighter on the underparts and face, with bright red bill and legs, a white throat, belly, and mark behind the cheek, and black stripes down the side of the back. Note the pinkish-purple tinge to the head and chest. Birds on Luzon have a darker wing and a bluish ear. Somewhat similar to Dimorphic Dwarf-Kingfisher, especially when seen from the front or below, but Philippine lacks the bright blue head and back. Voice is a rather sharp, high-pitched note, “tsreek.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ceyx melanurus
- Authority
- (Kaup, 1848)
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Alcedinidae
- Genus
- Ceyx
Range and habitat
It is found in lowland primary and secondary forest up to 750 meters above sea level. It prefers areas with high rainfall.<p>The IUCN Red List follows the Handbook of the Birds of the World thus assesses the North and South subspecies separately. Both species or subspecies have been assessed as vulnerable with the population believed to be on the decline. The Southern subspecies has a lower estimated population of 2,500 to 9,999 mature individuals with the Northern subspecies estimated at 10,000 - 19,999. 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>There are currently no targeted conservation plans for the species. It occurs in a few protected areas throughout its range like the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Bataan National Park, Samar Island Natural Park, Mount Kitanglad National Park but protection and enforcement from loggers and hunters is still lax.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Other Birds
Blackish Rail
Pardirallus nigricans
Medium-sized marsh bird, plump and chickenlike. Slaty gray below and brown above. Note bright red legs and long greenish-yellow bill. Most similar to Plumbeous Rail but lacks red on base of bill. Found in marshy habitats including pastures and rice fields. Secretive but sometimes seen feeding at the edge of dense grasses; flicks tail when it walks. More often heard than seen: listen for loud, grating squeals.
Red-shouldered Spinetail
Synallaxis hellmayri
Angry-looking bird with a long spiky tail and brown plumage contrasting with a black throat and a rusty shoulder patch. Occurs in arid, scrubby woodlands where normally forages on or close to the ground. The song is a repetition of a short, fast “quebéc.”
Giant Wood-Rail
Aramides ypecaha
Easy to recognize by its gigantic size. Note the rusty neck and belly that help to distinguish it from similar smaller wood-rails. Favors open marshes, swampy light woodlands, and flooded pastures. Can be very noisy and occasionally conspicuous.
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