Justification Although this species has recently been found to be more numerous than previously thought, it still qualifies as Endangered as it has a very small range and population, both of which are continuing to decline. In addition, it suffers severe fragmentation owing to extreme pressure on the few remaining, already highly degraded, tracts of forest that still support subpopulations.

Family/Sub-family Muscicapidae

Species name author (Steere, 1890)

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

Identification c.20 cm. Distinctive medium-sized, all-black chat with longish tail. Entirely black plumage with dark bluish gloss, duller on wings (can show slight brownish tones), male tending to be brighter than female. Voice Rich, varied and melodious song, and sometimes mimics other species. Hints Can be rather skulking and unobtrusive if not singing. Often cocks tail.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000 - 5,000

decreasing

4,500 km²

Yes

Range & population Copsychus cebuensis is endemic to the island of Cebu in the Philippines. It has always been considered rare, but recent intensive fieldwork has revealed it to be significantly more widespread than was previously known. There are post-1990 records from at least 15 sites, but it only survives in very small numbers at most of these, with observations usually totalling one to five individuals at each. However, recent work at Nug-as Forest, the largest remaining tract of mature secondary forest (700ha) discovered a much larger population, with 85 individuals sighted across 7 km of transects. Extrapolations based on these sightings suggest that up to 2,500 individuals could be present at Nug-as¹.

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 and the dense undergrowth of secondary habitats (e.g. along steep ravines), including scrub and cut-over forests, plantations, and bamboo groves.

Threats As early as the 1890s, the small amount of forest remaining on Cebu was being rapidly cleared. A century later, Cebu retained barely 0.03% (or 15 km²) of its original vegetative cover, and even highly degraded secondary habitats are scarce and under considerable pressure. The only remaining tall forest (at Tabunan) covers just 3 km², of which just 0.3 km² is closed-canopy. All forests are threatened by illegal settlement, shifting cultivation and illicit logging by up to 24 families and habitat clearance for mining. The population near Casili is threatened by a nearby housing development.

Conservation measures underway During the 1980s, the species was the subject of an intensive population survey and an awareness campaign in the local press. It occurs at Tabunan within the Central Cebu National Park, which was declared a Strict Protection Zone in 1996. The felling of trees is prohibited in the reserve, but this confers little or no effective protection. In 1997, a three-year management plan was produced for the site, aiming to ensure long-term sustainability. In 2004-07, detailed surveys and public outreach campaigns were carried out by Cebu Biodiveristy Conservation Foundation Inc.².

Conservation measures proposed Conduct detailed ecological research to facilitate conservation planning and management. Immediately cease housing development at Casili, and prevent habitat destruction at other key sites. Ensure the long-term protection of remaining forests at Nug-as, as well as Tabunan and Consolacion. Initiate management programmes involving wardening, education and tourist development at Nug-as and Tabuan, including resolving the issues of land claims with illegal settlers.

References Collar et al. (1999). 1. Jakosalem et al. (2005). 2. Jakosalem et al. (2007).

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), James Gilroy (BirdLife International)

Contributors Roger Wilkinson (Chester Zoo)

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: Copsychus cebuensis. 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.

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife

To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums