Chloropsis flavipennis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PASSERIFORMES	CHLOROPSEIDAE

Scientific Name:

Chloropsis flavipennis

Species Authority:

(Tweeddale, 1878)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Philippine Leafbird

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2c+3c+4c;C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Allen, D.

Justification:
This lowland forest species has a small population and is known recently from just two sites. It is assumed to be undergoing a rapid decline as a result of habitat loss, and populations are likely to be severely fragmented. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Endangered
1988	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Chloropsis flavipennis is endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao (Collar et al. 1999). It has been variously considered rare or very rare (historically) to uncommon but secretive (recently). However, there are post-1980 records from just two localities, Bislig, where it appears not uncommon, and Lake Sebu (both on Mindanao). On Samar and Leyte its current status is unknown. It was last recorded on each island in 1970 and 1964 respectively. It is presumed extinct on Cebu where it was last seen in 1920.
Countries:	Native: Philippines
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population size is preliminarily estimated to fall into the band 1,000-2,499 individuals. This equates to 667-1,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 600-1,700 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits primary forest but also frequents secondary forest, forest edge and degraded habitats below 1,000 m, although there are three records up to 1,270 m.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Its whole range has suffered extensive lowland deforestation. In 1988, forest cover had been reduced to an estimated 29% on Mindanao, most of it above 1,000 m. Most remaining lowland forest is leased to logging concessions or mining applications. In 1989, it was estimated that on Samar and Leyte only 433 km² of old-growth dipterocarp forest remained. The near-total clearance of forest on Cebu undoubtedly caused its extinction there. At the key site of Bislig, forest is being cleared under concession and re-planted with exotic trees for paper production.

Major Threat(s):

Its whole range has suffered extensive lowland deforestation. In 1988, forest cover had been reduced to an estimated 29% on Mindanao, most of it above 1,000 m. Most remaining lowland forest is leased to logging concessions or mining applications. In 1989, it was estimated that on Samar and Leyte only 433 km² of old-growth dipterocarp forest remained. The near-total clearance of forest on Cebu undoubtedly caused its extinction there. At the key site of Bislig, forest is being cleared under concession and re-planted with exotic trees for paper production.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway There have been no records from protected areas since 1966. Prior to this, it was recorded from sites now encompassed within Mt Kitanglad National Park, where most forest below 1,200 m has now been cleared, Mt Hilong-hilong Watershed Reserve and the Mt Matutum Forest Reserve, which has been proposed as a national park. Conservation Actions Proposed Identify and survey remaining lowland forest tracts on Samar, Leyte and in poorly known areas of Mindanao, to establish its current distribution and population status. Propose key sites (following surveys) for urgent establishment as protected areas. Study the habitat requirements of the species, with particular reference to the extent of reliance on primary forest habitats.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
There have been no records from protected areas since 1966. Prior to this, it was recorded from sites now encompassed within Mt Kitanglad National Park, where most forest below 1,200 m has now been cleared, Mt Hilong-hilong Watershed Reserve and the Mt Matutum Forest Reserve, which has been proposed as a national park.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Identify and survey remaining lowland forest tracts on Samar, Leyte and in poorly known areas of Mindanao, to establish its current distribution and population status. Propose key sites (following surveys) for urgent establishment as protected areas. Study the habitat requirements of the species, with particular reference to the extent of reliance on primary forest habitats.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Chloropsis flavipennis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 18 May 2013.
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