Falcated Wren-Babbler
Ptilocichla falcata
A striking medium-sized bird of lowland and foothill forest floor or dense undergrowth on Palawan and Balabac. Often found near streams and gullies. Has a blackish body with long white streaks and contrasting rufous wings and tail blending to a blackish tip. Appears hooded, with orange from the crown to the back of the neck, a bright white throat with a fine black moustache stripe, and a black mask. Unmistakable in range. Voice includes slightly rising or falling long, alternating whistles, “puuuuui! piuuuuu!” or a quicker, repeated phrase, “chooit chi-peeet!”
Identification
EBird describes the bird as "A striking medium-sized bird of lowland and foothill forest floor or dense undergrowth on Palawan and Balabac. Often found near streams and gullies. Has a blackish body with long white streaks and contrasting rufous wings and tail blending to a blackish tip. Appears hooded, with orange from the crown to the back of the neck, a bright white throat with a fine black moustache stripe, and a black mask. Unmistakable in range. Voice includes slightly rising or falling long, alternating whistles, “puuuuui! piuuuuu!” or a quicker, repeated phrase, “chooit chi-peeet!”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ptilocichla falcata
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1877
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Ptilocichla
Range and habitat
It inhabits tropical moist lowland primary forest up to 800 meters above sea level. It is often found near streams, ridges and bamboo forests. It is sensitive to habitat loss and cannot tolerate secondary forest.<p>IUCN has assessed this bird as vulnerable with its population being estimated at 10,000 to 19,999 mature individuals. Forest loss, due to legal and illegal logging, mining and conversion into farmland and urban development, is its main threat.<p>The whole of Palawan was designated as a Biosphere Reserve; however, protection and enforcement of laws has been difficult and these threats still continue. It occurs in just one protected area in Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.<p>Conservation actions proposed include surveys of remaining lowland forest to understand its true distribution and population status and to propose key sites as protected areas; to assess its ecological requirements, particularly its sensitivity to habitat modification; to support the extension of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park; and to formally protect the forests of Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Amazona auropalliata
Large, green parrot of tropical lowlands, mainly in drier areas. Uncommon. Found in semiopen areas with forest patches, big trees, and forest edges. Most often seen flying overhead early and late in the day, often fairly high and usually in pairs or loose groups made up of pairs. Note the dark gray bill and overall plain head with a bright yellow nape (yellow reduced or lacking on immatures). Like other parrots in the same genus, in flight shows a red patch on the flight feathers.
Legge's Hawk-Eagle
Nisaetus kelaarti
Rather large, slim hawk-eagle with a white-tipped crest, streaked gray cheeks, and long feathered legs. It has strongly barred broad wings and a long tail. Unlike the otherwise very similar Crested Hawk-Eagle, the streaking on Legge’s is restricted to the upper breast, and its breast, belly, and thighs are strongly barred. Has an upright stance when seen perched in the canopy of forested hills.
Rio Negro Gnatcatcher
Polioptila facilis
A rarely encountered, mostly gray gnatcatcher of the canopy. Has slate gray upperparts and breast with a contrasting white belly, and a white eyering. Tail is long and slender with white outer feathers. Sexes similar. Restricted to white sand forests in lowlands Amazonia of Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. Actively moves through the canopy, often joining mixed species feeding flocks. Voice is a fast “fui fui fui fui.” Very similar to Guianan Gnatcatcher, but note differences in voice and range.
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