- Source: Pygmy flowerpecker
The pygmy flowerpecker (Dicaeum pygmaeum) is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae.
It is endemic to the Philippines.
Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest.
Description and taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A tiny bird of forest and edge from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains. Has a fairly long, thin, slightly curved bill, gray sides, whitish coloring from the throat to the belly, and yellowish on the rump, under the base of the tail, and on the edges to the wing feathers. Males have slightly glossy blackish upperparts, whereas females have an olive back and a grayish head. Similar to Scarlet-collared, Black-belted, and Red-keeled Flowerpeckers, but lacks any red on the underparts. Voice includes a typical flowerpecker “tuk!” given regularly, sometimes mixed with a high-pitched piping “tsii!”
= Subspecies
=Five subspecies are recognized:
D. p.pygmaeum — Found on Luzon (except Northwest), Corregidor, Lubang, Polillo Is, Mindoro, Marinduque, Maestre de Campo, Semirara, Sibay, Boracay, Romblon, Sibuyan, Ticao, Masbate, Samar, Gigantes, Calagnaan, Sicogon, Guimaras, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Leyte
D. p. davao — Found on Camiguin Sur and Mindanao
D. p. palawanorum — Found on Calauit, Culion, Palawan and Balabac
D. p.salomonseni — Found on Northwest Luzon
D. p.fugaense — Found on Calayan and Fuga
Habitat and conservation status
Its natural habitats at tropical moist lowland primary forest and secondary forest up to 2,000 meters above sea level but mostly seen below 1,000 meters above sea level.
The IUCN Red List has assessed this bird as least-concern species as it is common throughout its range and is found throughout the entire Philippines. Its population is still said to be decreasing due to deforestation in the Philippines due to land conversion, illegal logging and mining.