Buzzing flowerpecker

Buzzing flowerpecker
ssp. mindanense
ssp. obscurum
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Dicaeidae
Genus:	Dicaeum
Species:	D. hypoleucum
Binomial name
Dicaeum hypoleucum Sharpe, 1876

The buzzing flowerpecker (Dicaeum hypoleucum) or white-bellied flowerpecker is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and or tropical moist montane forest. ^[1]

Description and taxonomy

Ebird describes it as "A tiny bird of forest and scrub from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains. Darker above and paler below, with a fairly long, thin, slightly curved bill. Races differ in color. Northern birds have brownish bellies, while southern birds are black or dark brown above and whitish or pale gray below. Females are duller. Similar to Bicolored Flowerpecker, but White-bellied has a longer, thinner bill. Also known as Buzzing Flowerpecker, as it gives a high-pitched insect-like buzz." ^[2]

Subspecies

Five subspecies are recognised: ^[3]

• D. h. hypoleucum – Found in the Sulu Archipelago
• D. h. mindanense – Found in Zamboanga Peninsula
• D. h. pontifex – Found in Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Panaon, Bohol, Dinagat, and Mindanao except the Zamboanga Peninsula
• D. h. cagayanense – Found in Northeast Luzon
• D. h. obscurum – Found in Luzon except Northeast Luzon and Catanduanes

Ecology and behavior

Not much is known about its diet but it is presumed to have the typical flowerpecker diet of small fruits, insects, nectar especially from mistletoes. Typically seen singly, pairs and small groups but joins mixed species flocks. ^[4]

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest, montane forest and second growth up to 1,800 meters above sea level.

The IUCN has classified the species as being of Least Concern as it has a large range and it is common throughout. However, the population is declining due to deforestation in the Philippines throughout the country due to slash and burn farming, mining, illegal logging and habitat conversion.

It is found in multiple protected areas such as Pasonanca Natural Park, Mount Banahaw, Mount Kitanglad. Mount Apo, Mount Pulag and Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park but like all areas in the Philippines, protection is lax and deforestation continues despite this protection on paper. ^[5]

References

1. BirdLife International (2016). "Dicaeum hypoleucum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22717522A94537322. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22717522A94537322.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
2. "White-bellied Flowerpecker - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
3. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (December 2023). "Dippers, leafbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds". IOC World Bird List Version 14.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
4. Paynter, Raymond A. Jr, ed. (1986). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 12. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 196.
5. IUCN (2016-10-01). Dicaeum hypoleucum: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22717522A94537322 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t22717522a94537322.en.