Species

Justification
This species is listed as Vulnerable because it is undergoing a rapid and continuing population decline as a result of extensive forest loss at low to mid-altitudes within its range.

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
25 cm. Canopy-dwelling, black-and-white passerine. Male has black head and upper breast, forming dark hood. Dark grey back and rump, black wings with white wing-patch across greater coverts and tertials. Black tail with white tips to outer tail feathers. Dark grey breast and belly, white undertail-coverts. Dark bill, iris and legs. Female similar to male although head grey (lacks black hood) and underparts paler. Similar spp. Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike C. striata larger and lacks white in wing. Voice Loud, sharp whistles tseeuu, sometimes running together to form jangled phrase. Hints Joins mixed feeding flocks. Tends to stay in the canopy.

Distribution and population
Coracina ostenta is endemic to the Western Visayas in the Philippines, where it is known from Panay, Negros and Guimaras (Collar et al. 1999). Formerly widespread on Negros, it is now restricted to seven known localities, although it is still locally common. It appears much scarcer on Panay, where there are recent records from just three localities in the west. It is presumed extinct on Guimaras, where it has not been recorded for over a century. Given that Panay and Negros are largely deforested in the lowlands, it is inferred that it occupies a small, fragmented range.

Population justification
Formerly widespread on Negros, it is now restricted to seven known localities, although it is still locally common. It appears much scarcer on Panay, where there are recent records from just three localities in the west. It is presumed extinct on Guimaras, where it has not been recorded for over a century. In total the population is estimated to number 10,000-19,999 individuals, equivalent to 6,667-13,333 mature individuals, rounded here to 6,000-15,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
This lower and mid-altitude forest species occurs at lower densities in secondary forest than it does in primary forest. Total forest loss has been rapid on Panay and Negros and hence it must have declined rapidly. The extent of forest habitats had been drastically reduced by 1988 so it is unlikely that the species continues to decline at the same rapid rate, simply because there is little forest left to remove.

Ecology
It inhabits lowland and mid-montane forest, usually below 1,100 m, but very occasionally up to 2,150 m. It also occurs at lower densities in secondary forest. It frequents the upper storey of large trees. Significant populations are unlikely to persist in montane forest.

Threats
Chronic deforestation led to its presumed extinction on Guimaras. Habitat degradation, particularly selective logging of large trees, continues to pose a serious threat to remaining fragments throughout its limited range. The main drivers behind deforestation have been agricultural conversion, wood pulp plantations, oil-palm plantations, commercial logging and urban encroachment.

Conservation actions underway
It occurs in Mt Canlaon Natural Park (Negros) and the North Negros Forest Reserve, which only receives nominal protection. It also occurs in the proposed Central Panay Mountains National Park, which reportedly contains the largest block of remaining forest in the Western Visayas, and Mt Talinis/Twin Lakes (Negros), which both benefit from conservation funding.

Conservation actions proposed
Conduct further surveys, particularly on Panay, to identify further key populations. Gazette the proposed Central Panay Mountains National Park and propose further key sites on Negros and Panay for urgent establishment as formal protected areas. Promote more effective protection measures for the North Negros Forest Reserve. Encourage careful reforestation activities around remaining forests.

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
Detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001).

Hear sounds for this species from xeno-canto, the community database of shared bird sounds from around the world.

View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Davidson, P., Lowen, J., Peet, N., Pilgrim, J., Taylor, J.

Contributors
Allen, D.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Coracina ostenta. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/05/2013.

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

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Additional resources for this species

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