Cebu Flowerpecker - BirdLife Species Factsheet

Justification This species has an extremely small population and very small, severely fragmented range owing to catastrophic deforestation which, although it has now slowed, is continuing. These factors qualify it as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Dicaeidae

Species name author (Tweeddale, 1877)

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification Size 11-12 cm. Rather stocky flowerpecker with rather short, stout bill. Male has conspicuous pattern, with blackish head, bright scarlet-red mantle and back, yellowish-green rump, blackish-blue wings and tail, and greyish-white underparts with paler ventral stripe. Female duller overall, with dark greyish back (lacking any red) and brownish-grey underparts. Similar spp. Plumage (especially red back of male) readily distinguishes it from sympatric flowerpeckers (e.g. Red-keeled Flowerpecker D. australe). Voice Song typical of genus, comprising a series of thin, high-pitched, sweet notes, and calls with a thin seep interspersed with harder ticking notes.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

85 - 105

decreasing

8 km²

Yes

Range & population Dicaeum quadricolor is endemic to the island of Cebu in the Philippines. In the late 1800s it was known from just two localities, where it was considered not uncommon. Early in the 20th century, it was feared to have become extinct because all the island's forest was thought to have been cleared. In 1992, it was rediscovered at Tabunan (80 ha, plus another 40 ha of surrounding fragments), where it was seen most recently in 2007². Since 1992 it has been found at three further sites, Nug-As (700+ ha)¹, Dalaguete (80+ ha)¹ and Mt Lantoy (30+ ha). Three other areas of forest exist, but the species has not yet been reported from them: Caurasan-Mt. Kapayas (100+ ha)¹; Tuburan (300 ha including exotic plantations)¹; and Malabuyoc (30 ha)¹. Population declines are likely to be fairly slow now because so little forest remains, and that which does is on areas difficult to cultivate or without water¹. The maximum number seen together at any of these four sites is just four birds, and the current population is estimated at c.100 individuals, with 50-60 at Nug-As, 25-30 at Tabunan, and 10-15 at Dalaguete¹.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: Historically, it was considered to be strictly confined to forest. Recent observations clearly indicate an association with the tallest remaining forest patches up to c.500 m, most of which are on karst limestone. It evidently frequents secondary and selectively logged areas, but always next to a larger patch of native vegetation¹. It has been observed feeding on mistletoe-like plants (Loranthus sp.) and small, ripe Ficus fruits¹.

Threats In the 1890s, the small amount of forest remaining was rapidly being cleared. A century later, Cebu retained barely 0.03% (c.15 km²) of its original cover, and even the most degraded secondary habitats were scarce. The few remaining tracts of forest are variously threatened by illegal settlement, road construction, shifting cultivation, illicit logging, charcoal making, firewood collection and habitat clearance for mining. Interspecific competition with D. australe may have accelerated the species's decline given the extreme shortage of available habitat.

Conservation measures underway Nug-as Forest is managed and protected by three Peoples Organisations with Community-based Forest Management Agreements with Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Habitat rehabilitation measures using native species of trees have been conducted since 2003 and are ongoing. Establishment of corridors has been initiated to link up Nug-as forest to Dalaguete and in Malabuyoc-Alegria areas². Local Forest wardens regularly conduct daily forest patrol in both Nug-as and Dalaguete forest patches. Local forest wardens are supported by the Municipal Government under the Forest and Wildlife Protection Program². Malabuyoc, which may hold this species, is within the borders of a cement company reserve¹. Mt. Lantoy was declared as a Watershed Forest Reserve (Presidential Proclamation no. 414 dated 29 June, 1994) and was considered as part of the initial component of National Integrated Protected Area System Act (NIPAS Act). A Protected Area Management Board was created and manages the 7, 265 ha protected area. In December 2006, a new Executive Order was issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reducing the watershed reserve area coverage from 7,265 ha to 3,000 ha². The Central Cebu National Park, together with four other Watershed Forest Reserves, was consolidated to form the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) under Republic Act 9486 or Central Cebu Protected Landscape Act of 2007. A Protected Area Management Board handles the management of the consolidated protected area².

Conservation measures proposed Identify all remnant forest tracts on Cebu and urgently survey them for remaining populations. Research the species's ecology, particularly interactions with D. australe. Continue to fund and implement management activities at Tabunan. Support the proposal to designate Mt Lantoy as a national park, and urgently propose all remaining forest tracts on Cebu, including Nug-As, for strict formal protection.

References Collar et al. (1999). 1. L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. (2005). 2. L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Detailed species accounts from Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001)

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), James Lowen (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International)

Contributors Lisa Marie J. Paguntalan (Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2008) Species factsheet: Dicaeum quadricolor. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/11/2008

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, and BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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