Rufous-headed tailorbird
| Rufous-headed tailorbird | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Cettiidae |
| Genus: | Phyllergates |
| Species: | P. heterolaemus
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| Binomial name | |
| Phyllergates heterolaemus Mearns, 1905
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| Synonyms | |
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Orthotomus heterolaemus | |
The rufous-headed tailorbird (Phyllergates heterolaemus) is a species of bird in the family Cettiidae.
It is found only in the Philippines on the island of Mindanao.
Its natural habitats are in tropical moist montane forest.
Description and taxonomy
[edit]EBird describes the bird as "A small, long-billed, long-tailed bird of montane forest and scrub on Mindanao, with an olive back, wings, and tail, a yellow belly, a rufous head, and a pale buff throat and chest. Often cocks its tail. Juvenile has an olive rather than rufous head. Similar in shape and habits to other tailorbirds on Mindanao, but occurs at higher elevations, and has a yellow belly and rufous head. Song consists of very short, well spaced, varied phrases of fairly long, high-pitched piping notes."[2]
It was formerly conspecific with the Mountain tailorbird but differs greatly in plumage.
Behaviour and ecology
[edit]Diet is presusmed to be tiny invertebrates. Typically seen in pairs or small family parties deep within tangled vegetation. Relative to the Mountain tailorbird, it does not cock its tail as much.
No information is known about its breeding.
Habitat and conservation status
[edit]The species inhabits forest understorey and edge, second growth and grassy clearings at altitude over 1,000 meters above sea level. The IUCN has assessed this species Least Concern. Despite its limited range, it is said to be locally common. However, its population is declining. It is still affected by habitat loss through deforestation, mining, land conversion and slash-and-burn. Relative to lowland forest, Mindanao's montane forest has stayed relatively intact due to its relative inaccessibility and ruggedness. [3]
References
[edit]- ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Phyllergates heterolaemus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22714979A132106446. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22714979A132106446.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Rufous-headed Tailorbird - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-09-13.
- ^ IUCN (2018-08-09). Phyllergates heterolaemus: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22714979A132106446 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2018-2.rlts.t22714979a132106446.en.