Bagobo Robin
Leonardina woodi
A seldom-seen medium-sized ground bird of foothill and montane forest on Mindanao. Rufous-brown above from the crown to the tail, gray below with a white throat and rufous from the lower belly to the base of the tail. Note the sturdy black bill, long legs, and large feet. Somewhat similar to Long-tailed Bush-Warbler, but lacks the pale brow and doesn’t cock its tail. Voice consists of very high-pitched whistles and some harsh rasping notes.
Identification
EBird describes the bird as "A seldom-seen medium-sized ground. Rufous-brown above from the crown to the tail, gray below with a white throat and rufous from the lower belly to the base of the tail. Note the sturdy black bill, long legs, and large feet. Somewhat similar to long-tailed bush warbler (which is endemic to Luzon) but lacks the pale brow and does not cock its tail. Voice consists of very high-pitched whistles and some harsh rasping notes."<p>Not much else is known about this bird owing to its very secretive nature.<p>Even the taxonomy of this bird is still unclear as it has been moved from different families - once placed in the Old World babbler family Timaliidae, later placed in Pellorneidae, but molecular studies show it belongs to the family Muscicapidae. It is possible that it belongs to a completely new family.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Leonardina woodi
- Authority
- (Mearns, 1905)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Leonardina
Range and habitat
It is found primarily in moist mid-montane and montane forests ranging from 500 - 2,000 m. It is low-lying bird never reaching heights 5 meters above the forest floor.<p>IUCN has assessed this bird as a Least-concern species but there is a great lack of knowledge on any population statistics. The population was previously presumed to be threatened being declared Vulnerable up until 1996. However, recent fieldwork and research by BirdLife International has revealed this species to be more abundant than previous. This bird has a fairly limited range but it is fairly common in its habitat. It is not as threatened as other Philippine endemics as its montane habitat is less prone to deforestation as compared to lowland forests. Despite this, deforestation still occurs in these areas its just not to the extent of lowland forest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Mountain Elaenia
Elaenia frantzii
Unobtrusive and easily overlooked flycatcher of highlands in Central America; recently found in northern Chiapas. Occurs mainly at forest edge and in overgrown scrubby areas with trees and fruiting bushes. Perches quietly and fairly upright, sallying out to pluck berries. Note the overall drab plumage, rounded head (lacks distinct crest of larger and bulkier Yellow-bellied Elaenia), whitish eyering, and big whitish edges to the tertials.
Indian Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
Striking tuxedoed babbler with a slightly downcurved banana-yellow bill and bright white eyebrows. A foothill and montane species of forest, forest edge, and dense scrubby growth. Clambers and bounces about along branches and in the undergrowth, typically in pairs or small flocks. Song variations include brief series of hooting calls, accelerating and jumbled in the second half. Calls include various rattles and hoots; often duets.
Black-throated Magpie-Jay
Cyanocorax colliei
Spectacular, large, and very long-tailed jay of tropical lowland forest, plantations, and semiopen areas with hedges and tall trees; ranges from humid to fairly dry areas. Range not known to overlap with smaller White-throated Magpie-Jay. Usually in small groups and can be surprisingly inconspicuous if feeding quietly. At other times, unavoidably noisy and impossible to overlook. No similar species in range: note crest, black face and throat, and very long, white-edged tail that flows out behind in flight.
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