Visayan Rhabdornis Rhabdornis rabori Scientific name definitions

17–18.8 cm. Male has forehead and crown to hindneck light grey, lower hindneck with some irregular black blotches and few indistinct pale shaft-streaks, brownish-grey mask extending from lores and beneath eye back through ear-coverts to neck-sides, separated from crown by very narrow and diffuse pale supercilium; mantle to back warm brown with few indistinct pale shaft-streaks, rump more rufescent; flight-feathers and their coverts dark brown, outer lesser coverts with white streaks/spots (often conspicuous), tail darker brown; mask bordered below by whitish malar stripe, rear neck-side with white-centred greyish feathers; chin whitish, throat pale brownish grey, underparts white, feathers from throat-sides and flanks to undertail-coverts bordered reddish brown (producing striped appearance); iris dark brown; bill black; legs dark horn. Female resembles male, but somewhat paler brown (including mask). Immature is browner-looking than adult, is buff-washed and heavily streaked below.

Panay and Negros, in WC Philippines.

Calls described as a high-pitched “tzit”, repeated often, sometimes in fast series as “tzit tzit tzit tzit”.

Limited information. Season probably around Mar–Jun. Nest made from sticks, placed in tree hole. Details likely not to differ significantly from the limited data available pertaining to R. inornatus.

VULNERABLE. Restricted-range species: confined to the Negros and Panay EBA. Rare and very local. This species is thought to have a very small global population comprising tiny subpopulations, and all of these are believed to be declining as a result of habitat loss. From assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and the assumption that only a proportion of its overall range is occupied by the species, the total population is estimated to number 2500–9999 mature individuals. Ongoing destruction and fragmentation of its habitat suggests that this rhabdornis is undergoing a steady decline. On Panay, only one sight record (of two individuals) is known (in Aug 1994). On Negros, following the widespread destruction of forest on that island, the species is now found in just a few remaining forest patches: on Mt Canlaon (NC Negros), and around L Balinsasayao and on Cuernos de Negros (both in SE of the island). Although Mount Canlaon National Park may provide this species with some protection, there is an urgent need for surveys to determine its status in remaining forest on Negros, and to confirm whether or not it still survives on Panay. All remaining forest on Negros should be fully and effectively protected.