Flame-crowned Flowerpecker
Dicaeum kampalili
A tiny bird of mossy montane forest and edge on Mindanao. Male has glossy black upperparts, pale underparts (whiter on the throat), and the namesake bright red crown stripe. Female has olive upperparts. Similar to Bicolored Flowerpecker, but male Flame-crowned has a bright crown patch and female has a more yellowish belly. Voice includes a high-pitched descending whistle and a sharp “tsik!”
Taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A tiny bird of mossy montane forest and edge. Male has glossy black upperparts and pale underparts, whiter on the throat. Races differ. Mindanao birds are orange-red under the base of the tail and on the crown. Similar to Bicolored flowerpecker, but male Flame-crowned has a bright crown patch and female has a yellowish belly. Voice includes a high-pitched descending whistle and a sharp “tsik!”<p>Exhibits sexual dimorphism in which males have the eponymous flame orange crown and vent while females are much more dull and have uniform olive color and does not the black upperparts<p>It is seen feeding on flowering and fruiting trees.
- Scientific name
- Dicaeum kampalili
- Authority
- Manuel & Gilliard, 1953
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Dicaeidae
- Genus
- Dicaeum
Range and habitat
It inhabits tropic moist montane forest at mossy forest above 1,300 meters above sea level.<p>IUCN has assessed this bird as least-concern with its population being estimated as 10,000 to 19,999 mature individuals. While not considered threatened, it is still thought to be declining. Forest loss is a threat especially in its lower altitude limits which are more prone to legal and illegal logging, mining and conversion into farmland.<p>It is recommended to investigate potential threats and quantify more precisely the population size of the species. Protect areas of suitable habitat and safeguard against deforestation.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Thick-billed Parrot
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha
Very local, long-tailed, and social parrot of mountains in northwest Mexico. Feeds in pine and pine-oak forests. Nests colonially in groves of giant aspens, whose soft trunks allow nest cavities to be excavated. Usually found in flocks, of 10–100 birds, less often in scattered pairs; often located by its far-carrying, raucous laughing calls. No similar species in its range; note the red forehead and small red shoulder patches. In flight shows a broad yellow stripe under the wings.
Short-tailed Pygmy-Tyrant
Myiornis ecaudatus
Tiny stump-tailed flycatcher; one of the smallest birds on earth. Minute size and compact body give it a unique appearance, in some ways looking more like a bumblebee than a bird. Whitish underparts with green back, gray head, and white spectacles. Found in mature and secondary rainforest, especially in areas with tall trees. Usually perches in the rainforest midstory and can be tricky to spot. Its song is a soft pair of short trilled notes “trrr-trrr,” sounding rather insectlike.
Plumbeous Pigeon
Patagioenas plumbea
Large dark pigeon of forest interior. Overall purplish-gray, slightly darker and browner on wings. Pale eye. Sexes alike. Note plainer appearance and longer tail than many other doves and pigeons. Most similar to Ruddy Pigeon but plumage grayer (not reddish) and eye paler. Usually quite secretive, staying in the canopy where singles or pairs feed on fruits. Found from lowlands into subtropical zone, up to 2,300 m (7,500 ft). More often heard than seen; listen for the cooing “who-cooks-for-you” song with the last two notes drawn out.
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