Pale spiderhunter
| Pale spiderhunter | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Nectariniidae |
| Genus: | Arachnothera |
| Species: | A. dilutior
|
| Binomial name | |
| Arachnothera dilutior Sharpe, 1876
| |
The pale spiderhunter (Arachnothera dilutior) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only the region of Palawan. Along with the orange-tufted spiderhunter, it was originally considered a subspecies of the little spiderhunter. They are predominantly greyish in color, with olive-green wings, a pale yellow belly and a bold yellow eyering.[2]
Description and taxonomy
[edit | edit source]Ebird describes it as "A medium-sized bird of lowland forest canopy and edge on Palawan and neighboring islands. Overall bright green, paler below, with a yellow throat and upper chest and a blue eye-ring, shoulder, edge to the wing, and short line down from the base of the bill. Note the black bill, wingtips, and legs. No other green birds of this size occur in its range. Voice includes a varied whistled song."[3]
It was formerly conspecific with the little spiderhunter and orange-tufted spiderhunter but each was designated their own species. Differs from others by its deeper and darker bill, longer tail, dark lores and its striking eyering, gray breast and throat and yellower wing edges.
This species is monotypic and has no subspecies.
Ecology and behaviour
[edit | edit source]This species' diet has not yet been comprehensively studied but it is assumed to have a similar diet as the formerly conspecific Little spiderhunter which feeds on nectar, insects and spiders. It has been known to show nectar robbing behaviour. Typically forages alone or in pairs in the lower levels of vegetation.
Nothing has been published about its breeding habits.[4]
Habitat and conservation status
[edit | edit source]Its habitat is primary lowland forest and second growth but it does occasionally visit secondary growth and banana plantations. It is found up to 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) above sea level.
It is assessed as least-concern species under the IUCN as it seems to be tolerant of degraded habitat and is still common across its range. However, Palawan's forests are under threat due to illegal logging, deforestation, land conversion and mining. The whole of Palawan was designated as a Biosphere Reserve; however, protection and enforcement of laws has been difficult and these threats still continue. It occurs in just one protected area in the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm.[5]
References
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- Moyle, R.G., S.S. Taylor, C.H. Oliveros, H.C. Lim, C.L. Haines, M.A. Rahman, and F.H. Sheldon. 2011. Diversification of an endemic Southeast Asian genus: phylogenetic relationships of the spiderhunters (Nectariniidae: Arachnothera). Auk 128: 777–788.
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