Justification This lowland forest species has a small population, being 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.

Family/Sub-family Chloropseidae

Species name author (Tweeddale, 1878)

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

Identification 18 cm. Small-medium, green, canopy-dwelling passerine. Entire plumage bright green except for yellow eye-ring, throat and line on closed wing formed by yellow primary fringes. Dark bill, iris and legs. Voice Short, loud melodious phrases such as whit-too-whee and see-tee-wee-oo. Hints Frequents canopy where often first noticed by song. Best looked for in flowering trees. Also joins mixed feeding flocks.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

decreasing

114,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Chloropsis flavipennis is endemic to the Philippines, where it is known from Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao. 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.

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

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.

Threats 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 measures 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 measures 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.

References Collar et al. (1999).

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), Pete Davidson (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Nic Peet (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Nigel Collar (BirdLife International), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), James Gilroy (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Chloropsis flavipennis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

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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