Mindanao pygmy babbler

Stachyris plateni

Photo by Nobuo Matsumura (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
Mindanao pygmy babbler (en); zaragateiro-pigmeu-de-Mindanao (pt); timalie pygmée de Mindanao (fr); timalí de Mindanao (de); zwergbuschtimalie (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Timaliidae

Range:
This species is endemic to the island of Mindanao, in the southern Philippines.

Size:
These birds are 10 cm long and weigh 7,5-10 g.

Habitat:
The Mindanao pygmy babbler is found in primary rainforests and adjacent second growths and cultivated areas. They are present at altitudes of 100-1.100 m.

Diet:
They feed on insects and small fruits, usually foraging in small groups sometimes together with other babblers.

Breeding:
These birds possibly breed in March-May. The nest is made of white, fluffy plant material, including seeds. There is no further information about their reproduction.

Conservation:
IUCN status - NT (Near-Threatened)
This species has a relatively large breeding range but is described as uncommon to rare. Despite their tolerance to habitat degradation, the population is suspected to be declining at a moderately rapid rate due to logging and clearance of forests for agriculture.The species occurs in several protected areas, but measures are still needed to effectively protect the forests there.