Stripe-headed rhabdornis

The stripe-headed rhabdornis or stripe-headed creeper (Rhabdornis mystacalis), 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.

Stripe-headed rhabdornis
At Subic Bay, Luzon
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sturnidae
Genus:	Rhabdornis
Species:	R. mystacalis
Binomial name
Rhabdornis mystacalis (Temminck, 1825)

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."^[2]

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:

• R.m. mystacalis — Found on Luzon, Catanduanes Masbate, Panay and Negros
• R.m. minor —Found on Mindanao, Basilan, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Bohol, Dinagat Islands and Calicoan Island

The subspecies minor is smaller and has a shorter bill.^[3]

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 comonness. ^[3]

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.^[4]