Striated wren-babbler

Striated wren-babbler
	ssp. fortichi
	ssp. mindanensis
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Pellorneidae
Genus:	Ptilocichla
Species:	P. mindanensis
Binomial name
	Ptilocichla mindanensis; (Blasius, 1890)

The striated wren-babbler (Ptilocichla mindanensis) is a species of passerine bird in the Pellorneidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines found on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Basilan, Dinagat Islands and Mindanao. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and the lower reaches of tropical moist montane forest.^[2]

Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest floor or dense undergrowth. Warm brown on the upperparts, crown, and sides, with fine buff streaks on the sides and blackish underparts heavily streaked white. Note the contrasting white throat, the black-and-white moustache stripes, and the white stripe from above the eye to the back of the head. Unmistakable in range. Voice includes a variety of medium-pitched whistles, including repeated piping, downslurred notes, plus complex jumbled songs and imitations of other bird species."^[3]

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized:

P. m mindanensis – Found on Mindanao except Zamboanga Peninsula; pale streaking
P. m. basilanica – Found on Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan; similar to the nominate with pale streaking and back
P. m. minuta – Found on Leyte and Samar; smaller wih darker shaft streaks
P. m. fortichi – Found on Bohol; similar to minuta but crown and back is darker

Ecology and behavior

It is presumed to feed on invertebrates and are usually found singly but can form small parties of up to 4 individuals. Forages on the forest floor and turns over leaves in search of insects.

Breeds in January to August. Nest is described as a dome shaped cup made of dead leaves. roots and small twigs on the forest floor or up to 3 meters high in the leaf base of palms. Lays 1 bluish tinged white egg with brown spotting and lines. ^[4]

Habitat and conservation status

It is found in tropical moist lowland forest with dense understory up to 1,400 meters above sea level but more common below 1,000 meters. Forages in the low forest floor and turning over leaves.^[2]

IUCN has assessed this bird as least-concern species but the population is decreasing. This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range. The most affected part of its range is Bohol which only has 4% forest cover remaining.

Occurs in a few protected areas like Pasonanca Natural Park, Mount Apo and Mount Kitanglad on Mindanao, Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape in Bohol and Samar Island Natural Park but actual protection and enforcement from illegal logging and hunting are lax^[5]

References

^ BirdLife International (2018). "Ptilocichla mindanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22716014A132110014. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22716014A132110014.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^ ^a ^b Collar, Nigel; Robson, Craig (2020). "Striated Wren-Babbler (Ptilocichla mindanensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.stwbab2.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
^ "Striated Wren-Babbler - eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
^ Collar, Nigel; Robson, Craig (2020). "Striated Wren-Babbler (Ptilocichla mindanensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.stwbab2.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
^ IUCN (2018-08-09). Ptilocichla mindanensis: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22716014A132110014 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2018-2.rlts.t22716014a132110014.en.