Justification
This species has not been recorded since the type specimen was collected in 1953, despite a number of recent protracted surveys. However, it may remain extant, given that there was an unconfirmed report in 2002. Further surveys are required on Panay where it may conceivably occur. Any remaining population is likely to be tiny, and undergoing a continuing decline owing to hunting and extensive habitat destruction. For these reasons, it is listed as Critically Endangered.
Taxonomic source(s)
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.
Identification
16.5 cm. Known only by a single female specimen. Very small, vivid dark green fruit-dove. Sole specimen characterised by extensive, broad, yellow eye-ring, ashy-grey forehead and greyish-white throat, conspicuous yellow fringes to tertials and greater coverts forming rather narrow bar on folded wing, and yellow vent and undertail-coverts. Similar spp. Black-chinned Fruit-dove P. leclancheri is substantially larger, has rusty undertail-coverts, and no wing-bar and eye-ring. Voice Unknown.
Distribution and populationPtilinopus arcanus is endemic to the
Philippines, where it is known only by a single female specimen (one of a pair) collected on Mt Canlaon on the island of Negros in 1953 (Collar
et al. 1999). Its population is unknown and, given the failure of any fieldworker to encounter it since its discovery, it must be extremely rare. However, the recent discovery on Panay of threatened species which, until 1990, were known only from Negros, and sometimes formerly Guimaras (e.g. Negros Bleeding-heart
Gallicolomba keayi and White-throated Jungle-flycatcher
Rhinomyias albigularis), suggests that it is not impossible that this enigmatic bird may be extant.
Population justificationThe population is assumed to be tiny (fewer than 50 individuals and mature individuals) based on a lack of records since the only specimen was collected in 1953.
Trend justificationAlthough this species and its habitat requirements are incredibly poorly known, it seems likely that - if it is still extant - its population is decreasing in line with habitat loss and degradation within its range.
EcologyThe specimen was shot in a tall fruiting tree in primary forest at c.1,100 m. It is possible that it is a lowland specialist discovered at its upper altitudinal limit (as forest at this site had been cleared up to 1,000 m).
ThreatsA combination of hunting, which affects all pigeons and fruit-doves on Negros, and habitat destruction are presumably the major threats. Just 4% of Negros remained forested in 1988, and remnant tracts are small, heavily fragmented and under incessant pressure from clearance for agriculture, timber and charcoal-burning.
Conservation actions underwayThe only record derives from Mt Canlaon Natural Park, which supports 115 km
2 of mainly montane forest. No other conservation measures are known to have been taken other than its depiction in the mid-1990s on a bilingual environmental education poster in the "Only in the Philippines" series.
Conservation actions proposedComprehensively survey all suitable lowland to mid-montane forested habitat on Negros to determine whether the species is extant. Conduct more surveys for fruit-doves
Ptilinopus spp. on Panay, and employ extensive sound recording. Carry out, if possible, biochemical analyses on the type-specimen to confirm its taxonomic validity.
References
Collar, N. J.; Mallari, N. A. D.; Tabaranza, B. R. J. 1999. Threatened birds of the Philippines: the Haribon Foundation/BirdLife International Red Data Book. Bookmark, Makati City.
Further web sources of information
Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.
Click here for more information about the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE)
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).
View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection
Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Butchart, S., Lowen, J., Taylor, J.
Contributors
Allen, D.
IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Ptilinopus arcanus. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013.
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.
Additional resources for this species
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