Justification This species is classified as Vulnerable because it has a small population which is experiencing ongoing declines owing to forest loss. It may be endemic to a single island, but identification difficulties mean that it is difficult to determine its true distribution, abundance, and hence its status.

Family/Sub-family Meliphagidae

Species name author (Wallace, 1862)

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

Identification 30 cm. Large, drab, forest-dwelling friarbird. Dark brown throughout, slightly paler below. Pink bare orbital skin. Heavy black bill with indistinct knob at base of culmen. Similar spp. Dusky-brown Oriole Oriolus phaeochromus almost identical, but smaller, with blunter bill, darker underparts and without bare pinkish skin around eye. Voice Probably gives variety of loud, coarse and nasal notes, although potentially mimicked by O. phaeochromus.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

2,280 km²

Yes

Range & population Philemon fuscicapillus may be endemic to the island of Morotai (doubts have been raised over previous reports from Halmahera from where no specimens originate and no records can be traced to Bacan) in North Maluku, Indonesia. It was considered "very common" on Morotai in 1945. Assessment of its true status on Halmahera is severely hampered owing to visual mimicry by O. phaeochromus, and the possibility that it is largely overlooked in the canopy of tall trees.

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

Ecology: The species has been recorded in the canopy of primary and logged forest. It has also been found commonly in "secondary vegetation (bush)" and coconut plantations. Most records appear to be from the extreme lowlands (below 120 m), although it ascends rarely to 600 m.

Threats Although it may be tolerant of quite severe habitat degradation, the primary threat is presumed to be forest loss, especially given its predilection for low elevations. It was reported in the 1990s that most of North Maluku, including around 90% of Halmahera and Bacan, remained forested. However, forest loss and fragmentation has accelerated greatly, through exploitation of economically valuable trees, and most remaining forest is now under timber concession. In addition, plans for agricultural development threaten further losses of original habitat.

Conservation measures underway No direct measures are known. However, it may occur in the Lalobata and Ake Tajawe proposed protected area, which embraces c.3,550 km² of all forest-types on the north-east peninsula of Halmahera, or the Gunung Sibela Strict Nature Reserve on Bacan, although this site is seriously threatened by agricultural encroachment and gold prospecting.

Conservation measures proposed Identify and record its vocalisations to aid its detection (if they differ significantly from those of O. phaeochromus). Conduct extensive surveys (especially within proposed or established protected areas) to establish its distribution, status, ecological requirements and altitudinal limits. Support the establishment and management of a protected area at Lolobata-Ake Tajawi (Halmahera) and Gunung Sibela Strict Nature Reserve (Bacan), should the species be found to occur there. Initiate conservation awareness campaigns to solicit local support for forest conservation.

References BirdLife International (2001).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Contributors K. David Bishop (VENT Bird Tours)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Philemon fuscicapillus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

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, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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