The scarlet-collared flowerpecker (Dicaeum retrocinctum) is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae, about 10cm long and is endemic to the Philippines where it found only in the tropical moist lowland forests in Mindoro, usually occurring below 1000m in the canopy and edge of the forest and in open country with scattered trees. Along with the critically endangered Cebu flowerpecker, it is one of the two threatened flowerpeckers in the Philippines and is declining primarily due to habitat loss.
| Scarlet-collared flowerpecker | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Dicaeidae |
| Genus: | Dicaeum |
| Species: | D. retrocinctum
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| Binomial name | |
| Dicaeum retrocinctum Gould, 1872
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Description and taxonomy
editEBird describes the bird as "A small bird of lowland and foothill forest and more open wooded areas on Mindoro, slightly glossy black with a white belly and sides of the chest and with red patches on the throat, upper back, and in a stripe from the center of the chest down the belly. Note the fairly long, thin, slightly curved bill. Similar to Pygmy Flowerpecker, but has a black chest and red patches. Gives a high-pitched, staccato, rather jumbled song." The call is a series of notes similar to striking two stones together plus a high-pitched 'zeet zeet zeet'. [2]
It is closely related to the red-keeled flowerpecker (Dicaeum australe) but has a longer, more slender curved beak.
Ecology and behavior
editIt is seen feeding on flowering and fruiting trees.[3]
Nests have been found in April. Birds in breeding condition recorded from February to June. Immature birds seen as late as September. [4]
Habitat and conservation status
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It inhabits tropical moist lowland forest up to 1,000 meters above sea level. It prefers primary forest and secondary forest but has been known to visit cultivations and coconut plantations[5]
IUCN has assessed this bird as vulnerable with its population being estimated as 6,000 to 15,000 mature individuals. 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.
It occurs on a few protected areas Mt Siburan (Important Bird Area) and Mt. Iglit-baco National Park (which is the stronghold of the Tamaraw)..
Conservation actions proposed include to establish formal, managed protected areas to conserve remnant forest at Malpalon and Puerto Galera. Extend Mt Iglit-Baco National Park to encompass remaining lowland forest tracts. Devise and implement a management plan for the forest at Mt. Siburan with a focus on biodiversity conservation[6]
References
edit- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Dicaeum retrocinctum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22717516A94536769. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22717516A94536769.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker". Ebird.
- ^ Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Field Guides. pp. 346–347.
- ^ Cheke, Robert; Mann, Clive (2020). "Scarlet-collared Flowerpecker (Dicaeum retrocinctum), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.sccflo1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ^ Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Field Guides. pp. 346–347.
- ^ International), BirdLife International (BirdLife (2016-10-01). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dicaeum retrocinctum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
External links
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