Species

Justification
This species is undergoing a continuing rapid decline owing to widespread reduction in forest cover within its range, and it is now assumed to have a small population that is becoming increasingly severely fragmented. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.

Taxonomic note
Phapitreron cinereiceps (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into P. cinereiceps and P. brunneiceps following Collar et al. (1999). Because this split was made in a BirdLife publication, the justification is repeated here in full (but the references are not supplied). The form cinereiceps does not differ from P. brunneiceps in its "redder hindneck" (contra del Hoyo et al. 1997) but possesses a matt grey crown, more olive back, rusty not vinous-grey belly, brown not buff vent, and grey not buff undertail-coverts (as judged from CMNH 91B2583), and on this basis merits specific recognition from P. brunneiceps, with which it has in recent years (despite Manuel 1936a) been united under the name "Dark-eared Brown-dove" (the detailed original descriptions of both forms are adjacent in Bourns and Worcester 1894). It is arguably more distinct from brunneiceps than brunneiceps is from Amethyst Brown-dove P. amethystina, the latter only being recognised as representatives of separate species when their sympatry on Mt McKinley, Mindanao, was noted (Dickinson et al. 1991). Rand (1970b) stated that on Mindanao cinereiceps (i.e. brunneiceps) and amethystina both occur from 900 to 1,350 m, but that only the latter was found at altitudes above this; there may thus be a partial difference in altitudinal preference.

Identification
27 cm. A medium-sized, generally brown-coloured dove. Brown head and neck with glossy reddish-violet patch on side of neck. Warm, dark brownish rest of upperparts. Paler tip to tail. Vinous-grey underparts, contrasting with buff undertail-coverts. Similar spp. White-eared Brown-dove P. leucotis and Amethyst Brown-dove P. amethystina both have pale stripes across ear-coverts (though juveniles may not). P. leucotis has whitish undertail-coverts and green-glossed neck patch and P. amethystina has bare red skin around eye. Voice Accelerating series of hooting notes sounding like a bouncing ping-pong ball. Hints Seldom encountered, associates with other brown-doves in fruiting trees.

Distribution and population
Phapitreron brunneiceps is endemic to the islands of Mindanao and Basilan in the Philippines, where it is known from 10 localities on Mindanao and three on Basilan (Collar et al. 1999). Since 1980, there have been records from five sites (including Bislig and Mt Kitanglad) on Mindanao. During bird surveys from 2005 to 2007 in Eastern Mindanao, it was encountered only twice: once at Mount Hilong-hilong (a single specimen was netted) and once at Mount Tagub-Kampalili, both in montane forests above 1,200 m (J. Ibanez in litt. 2007). There is also a recent record from Zamboanga (per D. Allen in litt. 2012). It has not been recorded on Basilan since 1937. Its status is considered at best uncommon and at worst extremely rare, although its unobtrusive nature coupled with problems of field separation from P. amethystina may partially impede an accurate assessment.

Population justification
The population size is preliminarily estimated to fall into the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals. This equates to 3,750-14,999 individuals in total, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.

Trend justification
Intensive hunting pressure and on-going habitat loss are suspected to be driving a rapid population reduction in this species.

Ecology
It inhabits lowland, hill and lower montane forests up to 1,500 m, occupying a similar ecological niche to P. amethystina, and any factors separating the two species are not yet known. It is not clear if the species makes seasonal or altitudinal movements, but both are considered likely on a local scale.

Threats
Deforestation, and intensive hunting are the main threats. Illegal logging is not as rampant at high elevations, because most trees are not commercially valuable (J. Ibanez in litt. 2007). In addition, high elevation mountains, at least in eastern Mindanao, are steep, thus they are not threatened by agriculture (J. Ibanez in litt. 2007). However, mining is a present threat as there are current explorations in high elevation areas. For example, a proposed mineral reservation at the heart of the proposed Mount Tagub-Kampalili Protected Landscape (Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Province) has been given clearance by communities and local government units (J. Ibanez in litt. 2007). Similar open-pit chromite and nickel mining reservations are also being proposed in areas along the eastern Mindanao mountains (J. Ibanez in litt. 2007). Just 29% of Mindanao remained forested in 1988 (now considered a considerable overestimate). Almost all forest below 1,200 m has been felled at Mt Kitanglad. On Basilan, logging operations in the 1960s, followed by clearance for agriculture and increased hunting, have undoubtedly affected the species, but security concerns have prevented surveys that could verify this (D. Allen in litt. 2012).

Conservation actions underway
There are recent records from one protected area, Mt Kitanglad Natural Park, and older records derive from areas now within the Mt Apo Natural Park, Mt Malindang National Park, Mt Matutum Forest Reserve (proposed as a national park) and Mt Hilong-hilong Watershed Reserve. Basilan is ostensibly a national park, but lacks effective protection.

Conservation actions proposed
Conduct fieldwork to assess abundance, elevational range and habitat requirements at key sites. Carry out surveys to assess whether the species is (still) present in poorly surveyed areas of Mindanao (e.g. Mts Hilong-hilong, Matutum, Mayo and Three Kings). Ensure the effective protection of remaining forest at (possible) key sites.

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).

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Lowen, J., Taylor, J.

Contributors
Allen, D., Ibanez, J.

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

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Phapitreron brunneiceps. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/05/2013.

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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