Species

Justification
This forest-dwelling species is considered Near Threatened because it has a small range, in which the majority of suitable habitat is intact, and is likely to have a moderately small population, which is inferred to be in decline as a result of on-going habitat loss, probably at a moderately rapid rate.

Taxonomic source(s)
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.

Taxonomic note
The BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group is aware that phylogenetic analyses have been published which have proposed generic rearrangements which may affect this species, but prefers to wait until work by other taxonomists reveals how these changes affect the entire groups involved.

Distribution and population
Parus amabilis occurs on Palawan, Balabac and Calauit, Philippines, where it is generally considered uncommon (Collar et al. 1999).

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon (del Hoyo et al. 2007).

Trend justification
Data on trends are lacking, but a moderately rapid decline is suspected to be occurring overall, as a result of localised habitat loss.

Ecology
This species occurs in primary evergreen forest in the lowlands, and its occurrence at higher elevations remains to be confirmed. Levels of tolerance of secondary or logged forest are also poorly understood.

Threats
Logging and agricultural conversion are increasing in some areas of Palawan. Deforestation rates in the province reached 11% between 2000 and 2005, and numerous pending mining applications threaten to increase the rate of forest clearance (Mallari et al. 2011).


Conservation actions underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although some of its habitat is protected.

Conservation actions proposed
Conduct repeated surveys within the species's range to determine its current distribution and abundance, as well as assess population trends and rates of habitat loss. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Effectively protect significant areas of suitable habitat at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community-led multiple use areas.

References
Mallari, N. A. D.; Collar, N. J.; Lee, D. C.; McGowan, P. J. K.; Wilkinson, R.; Marsden, S. J. 2011. Population densities of understorey birds across a habitat gradient in Palawan, Philippines: implications for conservation. Oryx 45(2): 234-242.

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).

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

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Taylor, J.

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

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Parus amabilis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013.

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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