Mindanao Heleia
Heleia goodfellowi
A fairly small bird of montane forest on Mindanao. Olive on the upperparts, darker in the wing and tail, with a blackish mask, dingy yellow underparts, and a pale gray throat. Usually found in mixed-species flocks with Cinnamon Ibon, Mountain White-eye, and Black-and-cinnamon Fantail. Similar to Yellow-bellied Whistler, but usually found at higher elevations, and has a thinner bill and dark mask. Gives a musical whistle and also a harsh grating call.
Taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of montane forest on Mindanao. Olive on the upperparts, darker in the wing and tail, with a blackish mask, dingy yellow underparts, and a pale gray throat. Usually found in mixed-species flocks with Cinnamon ibon, Warbling white-eye, and Black-and-cinnamon fantail. Similar to Yellow-bellied whistler, but usually found at higher elevations, and has a thinner bill and dark mask. Gives a musical whistle and also a harsh grating call."<p>Three subspecies are recognized:<p>and an undescribed subspecies in South East Mindanao
- Scientific name
- Heleia goodfellowi
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1903)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Zosteropidae
- Genus
- Heleia
Range and habitat
It inhabits tropical moist primary and secondary sub-montane and montane forest and forest edge from 1,250 - 2,400 meters above sea level.<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, as 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
Reddish Hermit
Phaethornis ruber
Tiny and charismatic hermit hummingbird. Note a very contrasting black mask. Dark-olive above and cinnamon below and on the rump. Males have an incomplete black breast band and a shorter tail and wings than females. Common in the lower strata of forests and forest edges where it is fond of Heliconia flowers.
Olive Flycatcher
Mitrephanes olivaceus
A perky, pewee-like flycatcher found in humid forest along the east slope of the Andes. The combination of its small size, buffy-olive plumage, and obvious crest is unique within its range. Often perches in a conspicuous location, looking around excitedly for insects to chase, and readily joins mixed-species flocks. Typical vocalization is a series of soft tick notes which is often followed by a high pitched “seep.”
Singing Bushlark
Mirafra javanica
A small, stocky, pale brown bird with a fairly heavy bill. Unlike other bushlarks, breast streaking is minimal and often only restricted to the sides of the breast, while the wings are not as rust-colored. The pale eyebrow is well marked and typically extends neatly down around the cheeks. There is subtle though considerable geographic variation over the huge range. The overall coloration can vary from dark gray-brown to rich rufous-brown to pale sandy, and the amount and clarity of streaking on the breast also varies. Found in dry, open plains, agricultural areas, open shrubland, and grassland. The song is varied and complex, and includes whistles, trills, buzzes, metallic notes, and sometimes imitations of other bird species. The song can be given from a perch or on the wing. Forages on the ground, where it can be hard to detect until very close; gives a loud chip as it flushes. Similar to Indian Bushlark, but Singing Bushlark has a white outermost tail feather, appears drabber overall, and looks chunkier. Larger-billed but smaller overall than Eurasian and Oriental Skylarks, and averages more darkly streaked on the back.
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