EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of montane forest on Mindanao. Olive on the upperparts, darker in the wing and tail, with a blackish mask, dingy yellow underparts, and a pale gray throat. Usually found in mixed-species flocks with Cinnamon ibon, Warbling white-eye, and Black-and-cinnamon fantail. Similar to Yellow-bellied whistler, but usually found at higher elevations, and has a thinner bill and dark mask. Gives a musical whistle and also a harsh grating call."[2]
A side view of a skin from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Heleia goodfellowi goodfellowi – Central and South Mindanao
Heleia goodfellowi gracilis – North East Mindanao
Heleia goodfellowi malindangensis – West Mindanao
and an undescribed subspecies in South East Mindanao[3]
Ecology and behavior
Nothing has been published about its diet but it is pressumed to feed on insects, berries and nectar. It is often observed in mixed-species flocks with the Cinnamon ibon, Black-and-cinnamon fantail, Warbling white-eye and other montane Mindanao birds.
Breeding is also poorly known. Specimens collected in breeding condition with enlarged gonads in February to May. No other information has been published.[4]
Habitat and conservation status
A top view of a skin from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center
It inhabits tropical moist primary and secondary sub-montane and montane forest and forest edge from 1,250 - 2,400 meters above sea level.
IUCN has assessed this bird as a least-concern species. Despite a limited range, it is said to be locally common in its range. As it occurs in rugged and inaccessible mountains, this has allowed a large portion of its habitat to remain intact. It is also able to tolerate degraded forest. However, the population is still said to be declining, as it is still affected by habitat loss through deforestation, mining, land conversion and slash-and-burn - just not to the same extent as lowland forest. [5]
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