Melodious babbler

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Melodious babbler
Melodious Babbler.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pellorneidae
Genus: Malacopteron
Species:
M. palawanense
Binomial name
Malacopteron palawanense

The melodious babbler (Malacopteron palawanense) is a species of bird in the family Pellorneidae. It is endemic to the Philippines and found only on Palawan and Balabac.

Contents

Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation, illegal logging and due to typhoons. Along with the Palawan flycatcher and Falcated wren-babbler, they have been dubbed the Tres Amigos (Spanish) or Three Friends as some of the most sought after birds in Palawan. [2] It is known for its musical call hence the name.

Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A medium-sized bird of lowland forest tangles and bamboo on Palawan and Balabac. Medium-brown above with more rufous on the tail, shoulder, and forecrown. Has a white throat, a white belly, and white under the base of the tail, with a pale brown chest and sides. Note the gray cheek, the pale eye, and the hook-tipped bill. Somewhat similar to Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, but larger, with whitish rather than yellowish underparts. Song is a short varied sequence of whistled notes, sounding rather tuneless. Also gives a series of forceful downslurred “piu!” notes varying in pitch and volume." [3] [4]

This species is monotypic.

Ecology and behavior

Diet is largely unknown but presumed to feed on insects and some vegetable matter. It is often seen foraging alone or in small groups foraging in the understorey in tangles and vines.

Birds in breeding but otherwise nothing is known about its breeding behaviour and the nest remains undescribed.

Habitat and conservation status

The species inhabits tropical moist lowland primary forest and mature secondary forest only up to 100 meters above sea level. [4]

It is assessed as near threatened under the IUCN but was formerly endangered due to its role as a true lowland forest specialist. However, it was uplisted as surveys in the 1990s found them in fairly good density in its remaining habitat. Populations believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss, deforestation and mining. 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 just one protected area in the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. [5]

This species will likely be uplisted to Vulnerable species as there is believed to be a significant decline of this species due to the damage from Typhoon Odette. This species is especially reliant on thick underbrush and the degradation of this areas, even temporarily due to typhoons can significantly cause population declines and low surviviability. Population is now estimated at just 4,500 to 13,500 mature individuals with a declining population. [6]

References

Citations
  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Malacopteron palawanense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22715885A94473596. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22715885A94473596.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  3. "Palawan Babbler - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  4. 1 2 Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Guides.
  5. IUCN (2016-10-01). Malacopteron palawanense: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22715885A94473596 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t22715885a94473596.en.
  6. International), Red List Team (BirdLife (2024-10-02). "Melodious Babbler (Malacopteron palawanense)". Globally Threatened Bird Forums. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
Bibliography