Species

BirdLife Species Champion	Philippines Department of Tourism
BirdLife Species Guardian	Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation
For information about BirdLife Species Champions and Species Guardians visit the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme.

Justification
This species has an extremely small population and very small, severely fragmented range owing to catastrophic deforestation which, although it has now slowed, is continuing. These factors qualify it 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
Size 11-12 cm. Rather stocky flowerpecker with rather short, stout bill. Male has conspicuous pattern, with blackish head, bright scarlet-red mantle and back, yellowish-green rump, blackish-blue wings and tail, and greyish-white underparts with paler ventral stripe. Female duller overall, with dark greyish back (lacking any red) and brownish-grey underparts. Similar spp. Plumage (especially red back of male) readily distinguishes it from sympatric flowerpeckers (e.g. Red-keeled Flowerpecker D. australe). Voice Song typical of genus, comprising a series of thin, high-pitched, sweet notes, and calls with a thin seep interspersed with harder ticking notes.

Distribution and population
Dicaeum quadricolor is endemic to the island of Cebu in the Philippines (Collar et al. 1999). In the late 1800s it was known from just two localities, where it was considered not uncommon. Early in the 20th century, it was feared to have become extinct because all the island's forest was thought to have been cleared. However, it was rediscovered in 1992 at Tabunan (80 ha, plus another 40 ha of surrounding fragments) where it was seen most recently in 2007 (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008). Since 1992 it has been found at three further sites, Nug-As (700+ ha) (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005), Dalaguete (80+ ha) (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005) and Mt Lantoy (30+ ha). In 2010, there were at least two sightings of this species by forest wardens in the Alcoy area, including a pair in the vicinity of human habitation (R. S. S. Ybañez in litt. 2010). Three other areas of forest exist, but the species has not yet been reported from them: Caurasan-Mt. Kapayas (100+ ha) (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005); Tuburan (300 ha including exotic plantations) (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005); and Malabuyoc (30 ha) (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005). Population declines are now likely to be fairly slow because so little forest remains, and that which does is on areas difficult to cultivate or without water (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005). The maximum number seen together at any of these four sites is just four birds, and the current population is estimated at c.100 individuals, with 50-60 at Nug-As, 25-30 at Tabunan, and 10-15 at Dalaguete (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005).

Population justification
In 2005 the population was estimated at 85-105 individuals. (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005), roughly equivalent to 60-70 mature individuals.

Trend justification
Population declines are likely to be fairly slow now because so little forest remains, and that which does is on areas difficult to cultivate or without water (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005).

Ecology
Historically, it was considered to be strictly confined to forest. Recent observations clearly indicate an association with the tallest remaining forest patches up to c.500 m, most of which are on karst limestone. It evidently frequents secondary and selectively logged areas, but always next to a larger patch of native vegetation (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005). It has been observed feeding on mistletoe-like plants (Loranthus sp.), small, ripe Ficus fruits (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005) and a flowering native tree, Callopyhllum sp. (P. G. Jakosalem in litt. 2012). Breeding is suspected to take place between February and August (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008).

Threats
In the 1890s, the small amount of forest remaining was rapidly being cleared. A century later, Cebu retained barely 0.03% (c.15 km²) of its original cover, and even the most degraded secondary habitats were scarce. The few remaining tracts of forest are variously threatened by illegal settlement, road construction, shifting cultivation, illicit logging, charcoal making, firewood collection and habitat clearance for mining. Interspecific competition with D. australe may have accelerated the species's decline given the extreme shortage of available habitat.

Conservation actions underway
Nug-as Forest is managed and protected by three People's Organisations with Community-based Forest Management Agreements with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. From 1999 until 2004, the Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation conducted habitat rehabilitation activities using native species and forest protection activities in Tabunan, controlling timber poaching and forest clearing and encouraging regeneration of secondary growth areas. The initiative also maintained the remaining mature secondary forest cover and increased the native vegetation cover through regeneration of secondary growth habitats (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008). Reforestation in areas near and adjacent to Tabunan Forest is on-going (R. S. S. Ybañez in litt. 2010). Habitat rehabilitation activities are now largely concentrated in the southern part of Cebu where the larger forests of Alcoy lie in close proximity to four other remaining forest patches. The establishment of corridors has been initiated to link up Nug-as forest to Dalaguete and in the Malabuyoc-Alegria area (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008). Forest cover has been increased by the planting of at least 10 ha each year and protection of secondary growth areas, and at least six municipalities have conducted habitat rehabilitation activities. Local forest wardens regularly conduct forest patrols in both Nug-as and Dalaguete forest patches, and are supported by the Municipal Government under the Forest and Wildlife Protection Program (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008). Malabuyoc, which may hold this species, is within the borders of a cement company reserve (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2005). Mt. Lantoy was declared as a Watershed Forest Reserve (Presidential Proclamation no. 414 dated 29 June, 1994) and was considered as part of the initial component of National Integrated Protected Area System Act (NIPAS Act). A Protected Area Management Board was created and manages the protected area. In December 2006, a new Executive Order was issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reducing the watershed reserve area coverage from 7,265 ha to 3,000 ha (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008). The Central Cebu National Park, together with four other Watershed Forest Reserves, was consolidated to form the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL) under Republic Act 9486 or Central Cebu Protected Landscape Act of 2007. A Protected Area Management Board handles the management of the consolidated protected area (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008). Field research into the species's ecology is on-going (L. M. J. Paguntalan in litt. 2007, 2008). A project document on Saving the Cebu Flowerpecker was being finalised in late 2010 ready for submission to stakeholders (R. S. S. Ybañez in litt. 2010).

Conservation actions proposed
Identify all remnant forest tracts on Cebu and urgently survey them for remaining populations. Research the species's ecology, particularly interactions with D. australe. Continue to fund and implement management activities at Tabunan. Support the proposal to designate Mt Lantoy as a national park, and urgently propose all remaining forest tracts on Cebu, including Nug-As, for strict formal protection.

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).

Species Guardian Action Update

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

Text account compilers
Allinson, T, Benstead, P., Bird, J., Lowen, J., Pilgrim, J., Symes, A., Taylor, J.

Contributors
Allen, D., Jakosalem, P., Paguntalan, L., Ybañez, R.

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

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Dicaeum quadricolor. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013.

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.

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Additional resources for this species

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