Stripe-headed rhabdornis
The stripe-headed rhabdornis or stripe-headed creeper, also known as the stripe-sided rhabdornis, is a species of bird currently placed in the starling family, Sturnidae. It is endemic to the Philippines.
Description and taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A medium-sized, long-billed bird of primary lowland and foothill forest with a white throat and belly, brown wings and tail, a black mask, a dark crown finely streaked white, and black sides broadly streaked white. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks, where it often investigates under bark with its long bill. Resembles the other rhabdornis species, but usually found at lower elevations, and has a dark crown streaked with white rather than a gray crown. Voice consists of high-pitched chips, sometimes sped up into a chatter."Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized:R.m. mystacalis — Found on Luzon, Catanduanes Masbate, Panay and NegrosR.m. minor —Found on Mindanao, Basilan, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Bohol, Dinagat Islands and Calicoan IslandThe subspecies minor is smaller and has a shorter bill.
Ecology and behavior
Feeds on a varied diet including insects, fruits and seeds. Forages in flocks of up to 20 individuals and also joins smixed species flocks.Birds collected in breeding condition with enlarged gonads in February to July. Nests in small tree cavities. Not much else is known about this despite its relative commonness.
Habitat and conservation status
Its natural habitats at tropical moist lowland primary forest and secondary forest up to 1,000 meters above sea level.The IUCN Red List has assessed this bird as least-concern species as it is still common throughout its large range. The population is still decreasing due to the habitat loss and deforestation in the Philippines. More studies are recommended to better understand this species, population and conservation status.