The Palawan flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni) is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only in the Palawan island group. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest.
| Palawan flowerpecker | |
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| Male | |
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| Female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Dicaeidae |
| Genus: | Prionochilus |
| Species: | P. plateni
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| Binomial name | |
| Prionochilus plateni Blasius, 1888
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Description and taxonomy
editEbird describes it as A tiny bird of forest and gardens on Palawan and neighboring islands. Male has gray upperparts with a red crown patch, a white moustache stripe, a yellow rump, a white chin, a yellow throat and chest with a red smudge, and a white belly. Female is a much duller version of the male, with brown wings and a gray head. Female is similar to Thick-billed Flowerpecker, but has a yellow chest and rump. Voice is a rough “jak,” sometimes given rapidly in a harsh trill.[2]
The scientific name commemorates the German zoologist Carl Constantin Platen.
Subspecies
editTwo subspecies are recognized:
- P. p. plateni – Found on Palawan and Balabac
- P. p. culionensis – Found on Culion Island group; male has orange-yellow rump, throat and breast to belly, female is deep yellow belly, with orange pectoral spot.
Ecology and behavior
editIt is known to feed on fruit, nectar and pollen of mistletoes but otherwise its diet has not yet been studied. It occurs on all storeys of the forest and is typically found singly or in mixed-species flocks.
Specimens collected of birds in breeding condition have enlarged gonads from April to August. No other information is known about its mating, nesting and fledgling habits.[3]
Habitat and conservation status
editThe species inhabits tropical moist lowland primary forest and secondary forest.[3]
It is assesed as least-concern under the IUCN with populations believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss and deforestation. 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 the protected area of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
References
edit
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Prionochilus plateni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22717460A94533086. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22717460A94533086.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Palawan Flowerpecker - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ a b Cheke, Robert; Mann, Clive (2020). "Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.palflo1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.