[order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Pachycephalidae | [latin] Colluricincla sanghirensis | [UK] Sangihe Shrikethrush | [FR] | [DE] | [ES] | [NL]
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Physical charateristics
Medium-sized, drab, thrush-like passerine. Olive-brown above, more chestnut on shoulders and lower back. Paler brownish below, more rufous on belly. Strong black bill and legs. Similar spp. Golden Bulbul Ixos affinis platenae is larger, more olive-green above, yellow on throat and belly.
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 16 | cm | size max.: | 18 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 0 | days | incubation max.: | 0 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
| broods: | 0 | eggs min.: | 0 | ||
| eggs max.: | 0 |
Range
Australasia : South Americangihe Island. Colluricincla sanghirensis is endemic to the island of Sangihe, north of Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it was only known from one historical specimen collected in the late 19th century until its rediscovery in 1995. It occurs on the mountains Gunung Sahendaruman and Gunung Sahengbalira, where the total population is likely to be extremely low (possibly under 100 birds) given the tiny area of remaining habitat. In 2009, reports suggested that numbers of this species were in serious decline owing to forest loss
Habitat
It is resident in lower montane forest between 600 m and 750 m, occurring singly, and perhaps more frequently in small groups, in the middle and upper forest storeys, and also in dense rattan undergrowth. One boulder-strewn slope where birds were observed in 1996 was dominated by huge ginger-like plants (possibly Zingiberaceae), and in an area with a high density of large Pandanus sp. palms.
Reproduction
One bird was seen to pass an insect to another, presumably young bird (head
pattern slightly different from other birds), November. No other data.
pattern slightly different from other birds), November. No other data.
Feeding habits
Orthoptera are taken. The stomach of the single specimen collected in 1985 contained small black and dark brown chitinous insect remains. Birds were seen feeding among epiphytic fern fronds and other canopy vegetation, but also keeping close to the ground in slowmoving contour-following parties, with birds turning dead leaves amongst the leaf-litter, foraging on bark and vines, and often gleaning from leaves and mosses.
Conservation
This species is currently known from only one locality, where habitat is declining in extent and quality such that its tiny population must certainly be dwindling. Because of this alarming situation it is classified as Critically Endangered.
Original forest on Sangihe has been almost completely converted to agriculture. The largest habitat tract in which the species has been observed is a mere 225-340 ha in size, and is undergoing clearance by shifting cultivators in its lower reaches. In 2009, it was reported that new government initiatives to plant alien tree species were resulting in the clearance of native forest. At first, planting was restricted to areas below 500 m; however, more recent reports indicate that planting is now taking place at higher elevations, in areas at 700-900 m. Having a montane distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is potentially susceptible to climate change
Original forest on Sangihe has been almost completely converted to agriculture. The largest habitat tract in which the species has been observed is a mere 225-340 ha in size, and is undergoing clearance by shifting cultivators in its lower reaches. In 2009, it was reported that new government initiatives to plant alien tree species were resulting in the clearance of native forest. At first, planting was restricted to areas below 500 m; however, more recent reports indicate that planting is now taking place at higher elevations, in areas at 700-900 m. Having a montane distribution that is close to the maximum altitude within its range, this species is potentially susceptible to climate change
Migration
Distribution map
