Mindanao island thrush | |
---|---|
ssp. kelleri | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Turdidae |
Genus: | Turdus |
Species: | T. nigrorum |
Binomial name | |
Turdus nigrorum Ogilvie-Grant, 1896 | |
The Mindanao island thrush (Turdus nigrorum), also known as the Negros island thrush, [1] is a species of passerine in the family Turdidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found in the tropical moist montane forests of Negros and Mindanao. Prior to 2024, it was four separate subspecies of Island thrush, before the Island thrush was split into 17 species by the IOC and Clements checklist.
The Mindanao island thrush was formally described in 1896 by the Scottish ornithologist William Robert Ogilvie-Grant based on specimens found on the volcano of Kanlaon on the island of Negros in the Philippines. He coined the binomial name Turnus nigrorum. [2] The Mindanao island thrush and its subspecies were formerly considered as subspecies of the island thrush (Turdus poliocephalus). Based on a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2023, the island thrush was split into 17 species, one of which was the Mindanao island thrush. [3] [4]
Four subspecies are recognized: [4]
There are undescribed populations on Sarangani and Panay and believed to be part of this species. However, this species as a whole is highly likely to be further split as many of these birds exhibit many differences.
EBird describes this as "A dark thrush with a slightly paler head, and orange bill, eyering, legs, and feet. Found at high elevations in Mindanao and Negros in the Philippines, where it is more common than many of the former Island Thrush complex. Forages at all levels of forest, including on the forest floor. Calls include harsh chupping calls, often given in bursts." [5]
This is a newly split species and there are no specific studies yet for the Mindanao island thrush. The Island thrush species complex has a varied and generalist diet taking a range of invertebrates such as insects including beetles, spiders, snails, earthworms, as well as carrion and even small reptiles. It will also take fruit and seeds, depending on what is locally available. It is observed foraging on leaf litter and low branches in dense cover, clearings and even roads.
Breeding season is believed to be April to May but birds with enlarged gonads have been collected from February to October. The Island thrush species complex makes cup shaped nests of grass, roots, tendrils, twigs, bark and moss. These nests are typically placed low and close to a clearing. Clutch size is 1 to 3 eggs but is usually 2. Eggs are greenish blue with brown spots. Incubation takes 18 days and fledgling takes 17 to 19 days. [6]
It occurs in tropical moist montane forest and forest edges. The altittudes of its habitat vary per island. In Negros, it is seen from 1,500 to 1,800 meters above sea level; Mount Malindang; 1,360 to 1,800 meters above sea level and Mount Kitanglad; above 1,500 meters above sea level.
This is a newly split species and has yet to be assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This bird is believed to be common in its habitat. However, like all other forest species in the Philippines, its population is still likely on the decline. This montane specialist's mountain habitat has remained relatively intact compared to lowland forest. Despite this, encroachment from illegal logging, settlers and land conversion still occurs. Negros has been most affected by deforestation with just 4% forest cover by 1988.
It occurs in a few protected areas like Kanlaon, Mount Apo, Kitanglad Mountain Range, Mount Malindang and Mount Hamiguitan but actual protection from deforestation is still lax. [7]
The Mindanao scops owl or Mindanao highland scops owl is an owl endemic to Mindanao island in the Philippines. It is found in tropical montane forest above 1,000 meters above sea level. It is threatened by habitat destruction and deforestation.
The Philippine megapode, also known as the Philippine scrubfowl or the Tabon scrubfowl, is a species of bird in the family Megapodiidae. It is found in the Philippines, northeastern Borneo, and Sulawesi. It has a wide range of natural habitats which include tropical dry forest, tropical moist lowland forest, tropical moist montane forest and small islands. The species was named after the collector Hugh Cuming.
The Mindanao brown dove is a threatened species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to forests on the Philippine islands of Mindanao and Basilan, but it has not been recorded from the latter island since 1937. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. Until recently, it was considered conspecific with the Tawitawi brown dove and collectively called the dark-eared brown dove.
The Apo sunbird is a species of bird in the sunbird family Nectariniidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.It is found in tropical moist montane forests above 1,500 meters above sea level.
The striped 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 tropical moist montane forest. It is part of the Thick-billed flowerpecker species complex and was formerly conspecific with it.
The brown tit-babbler is a species of bird in the family Timaliidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and or tropical moist montane forest.
The white-vented whistler is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae. It is found in the southern Philippines and a few islands of Malaysia. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest.
The stripe-breasted rhabdornis, also known as the stripe-breasted creeper or plain-headed creeper, is a species of bird currently placed in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is endemic to the Philippines on the islands of Mindanao, Leyte, Samar and Biliran. It is typically found in tropical montane and submontane forest but has been found as low as 230 masl in Leyte. It is part of a species complex that includes the Visayan rhabdornis and the Grand rhabdornis which were formerly subspecies of this bird.
The slaty-backed jungle flycatcher, also known as the Goodfellow's jungle flycatcher or the Mindanao jungle flycatcher is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on the island of Mindanao. The specific epithet honours the British zoological collector Walter Goodfellow. Its natural habitat is tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss
The black-and-cinnamon fantail is a species of bird in the fantail family Rhipiduridae. It is endemic to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines where it is found in the tropical montane forests above 1,000 meters above sea level. The specific name is derived from Latin niger for 'black', and cinnamomeus for 'cinnamon'.
The Negros striped babbler is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae. It is endemic to Negros Island in the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist montane forest in the range of 900–1,600 masl. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Philippine trogon is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found on regions of Luzon, East Visayas and Mindanao. It is the only species of trogon in the country. While not a threatened species, its population is declining due to habitat loss and hunting.
Pinsker's hawk-eagle, south Philippine hawk-eagle or Mindanao hawk-eagle, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to the Philippines native to the islands of Leyte, Samar, Negros, Basilan, Bohol and Mindanao. It is found in primary moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest up to 1,900 m. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. IUCN estimates just 600–800 mature birds left.
The Negros leaf warbler is a songbird species from the leaf warbler family (Phylloscopidae). It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage.
The Negros scops owl, also known as the Visayan scops owl, is an owl, endemic to the islands of Negros and Panay in the Philippines, belonging to the family of the typical owls Strigidae. It has a distinct and striking rufous or reddish brown crown, nape and face. It was formerly classified as a subspecies of the Philippine scops owl. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting for the pet trade.
The Bundok flycatcher or thicket flycatcher, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found in tropical montane forest.
The Mindanao serin is a species of finch in the family Fringillidae.
The Philippine shortwing is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines where it favours montane forest. It was once conspecific with the White-browed Shortwing.
Luzon island thrush is a species of passerine in the family Turdidae. It is endemic to the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It was formerly considered to be two separate subspecies of Island thrush until 2024 when it was classified as a distinct species by the IOC and Clements checklist.
The Mindoro island thrush, is a species of passerine in the family Turdidae. It is endemic to Mindoro in the Philippines. Its habitat is tropical moist montane forest above 1,200 meters above sea level. Prior to 2024, it was considered a subspecies of Island thrush.