Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Vulnerable because it is precautionarily suspected to be declining rapidly in response to forest clearance within its range in the Philippines, although there is much uncertainty over its true distribution and abundance.
Population justification
Population size not estimated, but abundance and density evidently varies across its relatively large range. Described as scarce by Allen (2020) and pattern of records eBird 2024) generally suggest that it is commoner in southern parts of its range. Interpretations of its abundance are also obfuscated by the species' generally elusive ecology, with Allen (2020) concluding that it 'may be more widespread than records suggest'.
Trend justification
No monitoring data from which to derive trends, but assumed to be declining moderately rapidly in response to forest cover loss within its range. This species is confined to lowland forest and second growth, much of which has been cleared in the Philippines. Records remain from a scattering of localities (mostly in Mindanao) but it is evidently absent from a range of sites which might otherwise be expected to host it. Within its elevational range, forest cover loss was c.20% in the three generations (12.3 years) to 2023 (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods therein) but this possibly underestimates the rate of decline in this species. First, it does not take into account selective logging and degradation which is widespread in the Philippines (Grantham et al. 2020). Second, it appears to overestimate the area of existing habitat (confusing some plantations and heavily degraded forests for forest cover), thus underestimated the percentage of decline in habitat. Moreover, sites from where most records of this species come (e.g. PICOP, Brgy Kuden and Samar Natural Park) are being cleared and degraded very rapidly, while sites such as Subic Bay (Luzon) appear to show a declining reporting rate, despite little to no change in forest extent. Overall, it is therefore considered possible that this species may be declining relatively rapidly, equivalent to 20-39% over the past three generations, with similar rates suspected in the future.
Edolisoma mindanense is endemic to the Philippines (Collar et al. 1999). Five subspecies occur: lecroyae on Luzon (considered very rare with few recent records [eBird 2024]), elusum on Mindoro, ripleyi on Samar (rare), Biliran, Leyte [no recent records] and Bohol (rarely recorded in Rajah Sikatuna National Park), nominate mindanense on Mindanao (formerly fairly common at the PICOP concession, Bislig, but now declined [R. Hutchinson in litt. 2012] and a handful of other sites) and Basilan, and everetti on Jolo, Lapac, Tawitawi and Bongao. It is elusive and may be commoner than records indicate, although survey coverage has been high at some localities without records, and it is increasingly becoming apparent this species may be genuinely rare and patchily distributed.
Uses forest and occasionally adjacent second growth below 1,000 m (Allen 2020).
Forest loss is the chief threat to this species, which evidently favours the lowland forests that have suffered the most acute loss and and degradation. Clearance of forest has principally been driven by conversion to plantations (particularly rubber and to a lesser extent oil-palm) and timber extraction. These threats occur at small- and large-scale, but even small-scale activity (i.e. land-owners each clearing only a small area of forest) is now so widespread it is as impactful as industry-driven deforestation. Mining and infrastructure represent less significant threats, but still occur in this species' range on a local scale.
Conservation Actions Underway
Occurs in some protected areas but these are small and isolated, and there in no evidence these are significantly protecting this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Confirm its distribution and try to discover new sites. Protect lowland forest sites for this and other threatened species within its range (particularly on Mindanao).
22 cm. A medium-sized rather inconspicuous cuckoo-shrike that inhabits the canopy and middle storey of forest and second growth. Males are black-faced, with the black extending down onto the lower breast. The primaries are also black as are the outer tail feathers, which have large pale tips; much of the remaining plumage is pale grey. Females are largely pale grey, with black remiges and tail feathers, which have large pale tips. Similar spp. Blackish Cuckoo-shrike C. coerulescens has uniform colouration and sympatric races of Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike lack extensive black in the underparts (males) and have barred bellies (females). Voice Not adequately documented.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Contributors
Allen, D. & Hutchinson, R.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black-bibbed Cicadabird Edolisoma mindanense. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-bibbed-cicadabird-edolisoma-mindanense on 19/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 19/12/2024.