Whiskered Flowerpecker
Pachyglossa propria
A tiny bird of lower montane forest and edge on Mindanao, where it feeds on mistletoe. Glossy black above and brown below, with a whitish moustache stripe bordered below by a thin black line, a thin white throat patch, and a white line on the sides. Female has a blackish-brown crown and upperparts. Distinguished from all other flowerpeckers by its brown underparts. Voice is a soft “chup” or harsh “juk!”
Taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A tiny bird of lower montane forest and edge on Mindanao, where it feeds on mistletoe. Glossy black above and brown below, with a whitish moustache stripe bordered below by a thin black line, a thin white throat patch, and a white line on the sides. Female has a blackish-brown crown and upperparts. Distinguished from all other flowerpeckers by its brown underparts. Voice is a soft 'chup' or harsh 'juk!'" Often seen feeding on fruiting and flowering trees where it feeds on fruit, nectar, and pollen. They are apparently dependent on mistletoe flowers.<p>Two subspecies are recognized<p>and a possible third subspecies found in Southeast Mindanao which has a yellowish-green head. Further study needed on this potential subspecies.
- Scientific name
- Pachyglossa propria
- Authority
- Ripley & Rabor, 1966
- Order
- Unidentifiable species name
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Pachyglossa
Range and habitat
It inhabits tropical moist primary and secondary sub-montane and montane forest and forest edge 1,000 masl where they are dependent on mistletoe flowers.<p>IUCN has assessed this bird as a least-concern species. Despite a limited range, it is said to be locally common in its range. As it occurs in rugged and inaccessible mountains, this has allowed a large portion of its habitat to remain intact. It is also able to tolerate degraded forest. However, the population is still said to be declining, it is still affected by habitat loss through deforestation, mining, land conversion and slash-and-burn - just not to the same extent as lowland forest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Barred Antthrush
Chamaeza mollissima
Compact brown bird with a stubby black bill. Warm reddish brown with heavy black-and-white barring on the undersides, face, and eyebrow. Walks around the ground in dense montane forest with a springy gait, bobbing its tail up and down with each slow step. Exceptionally timid bird heard far more often than seen; listen for its long hooting song, an accelerating series of low toots.

Mottled Owl
Strix virgata
A common, fairly large owl of tropical lowlands and foothills. Found in forests, woodlands, plantations, gardens, and towns. Roosts during the day at all levels in dense cover of taller trees, but at night it often hunts from low perches such as fence posts and road signs. Note the rounded head, brown eyes framed with whitish crescents on either side of the bill, and overall brown plumage that is streaked below. Varied gruff hoots can suggest a dog barking.

Green-eared Barbet
Psilopogon faiostrictus
Bright leaf-green barbet with a streaked head and a pale yellow-green ear patch. Heavy gunmetal-gray bill is sharp-tipped and brutal-looking. Lineated Barbet lacks the green ear and has a pale yellowish bill. Like many other barbets, Green-eared keeps to the canopy, where it can be difficult to detect due to its relatively slow and sluggish behavior. Typically inhabits lowland and foothill forest interiors. Song is a series of rapid-fire hollow notes.
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