The Mindanao miniature babbler (Micromacronus sordidus) also known as the Mindanao plumed-warbler is a bird species in the family Cisticolidae. It was formerly conspecific with the Visayan miniature babbler. This bird is endemic to the Philippines found only on the island of Mindanao. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forests. At just 7 centimeters long and weighing 5 grams, it is one of the smallest birds in Asia.
| Mindanao miniature babbler | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Cisticolidae |
| Genus: | Micromacronus |
| Species: | M. sordidus
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| Binomial name | |
| Micromacronus sordidus | |
| Synonyms | |
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Micromacronus leytensis sordidus | |
Description and taxonomy
editEBird describes the bird as "A tiny and uncommon bird of foothill and lower montane forest on Mindanao. Yellowish to off-white below with a small eyebrow mainly in front of the eye, brown upperparts, and a grayish head. Note the reddish eye and the long white plumes sprouting from the sides, lower back, and rump. Somewhat similar to female Little Pied-Flycatcher, but smaller, with white plumes. Voice includes constant high-pitched “seep” notes and a sibilant chatter similar to a white-eye’s."[2] It was formerly conspecific with the Visayan miniature babbler but is marginally larger and has a more slender pale bill and duller plumage.
They have been observed to join mixed species flocks of white-eyes and flowerpeckers flying through and middle and high cannopy. Its diet is presumed to be small insects and possibly small fruits. Due to its habits and size, it is believed to be overlooked.
Habitat and conservation status
editThe species inhabits lower montane from 600 masl and mid montane forest up to 1,670 masl .
The IUCN has classified the species as s near threatened with the population continuing to decline. It is still affected by habitat loss through illegal logging, mining, land conversion and slash-and-burn but the upper reaches of its habitat are better shielded from deforestation compared to lowland forest. Its population is estimated to be 10,000 to 19,999 mature individuals. While it appears to be rare, its small size and canopy foraging habits, it is possibly overlooked and more common than expected so it is recommended that more targetted searches be done to better estimate the population.
It occurs in a some protected areas like Pasonanca Natural Park, Mount Kitanglad and Mount Apo and while these areas a protected on paper encroachment and deforestation continues to occur.[3]
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Micromacronus sordidus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22734573A131676867. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22734573A131676867.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ "Mindanao Plumed-Warbler - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ IUCN (2018-08-07). Micromacronus sordidus: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22734573A131676867 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2018-2.rlts.t22734573a131676867.en.
- Collar, N.J. & Robson, C. (2007): Family Timaliidae (Babblers). In: del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew & Christie, D.A. (eds.): Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume 12 (Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees): 70-291. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
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