Current view: Data table and detailed info
Taxonomic note
Ramphiculus merrilli (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) was previously placed in the genus Ptilinopus.
Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.
IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Red List history
| Migratory status |
not a migrant |
Forest dependency |
high |
| Land-mass type |
shelf island
|
Average mass |
- |
Population justification: There is little information about the population size of Ramphiculus merrilli. The species has been considered uncommon (Allen 2020), but its elusive nature likely means it often goes undetected (Gibbs et al. 2001) and is potentially more common than previously thought, even in basic forest (Hornskov 1995, Poulson 1995, Gibbs et al. 2001). It is reportedly common throughout Sierra Madre (Poulsen 1995, Española et al. 2013, Baptista et al. 2020), and (at least was) abundant on Patnanungan Island in the Polillo group (Gonzales and Dans 1995, in BirdLife International 2001). The species' status across large areas of Quezon, Camarines and Albay, where it was historically reported, is unknown (Española et al. 2013).
Bird surveys were carried out December 2009 to September 2010, covering 14 sites across Central Luzon, the Cordillera, Sierra Madre, South Luzon, and West Luzon (Española et al. 2013), therefore covering much of the known range of R. merrilli. The species was found in the highest abundance in Sierra Madre across sites in Isabela, Cagayan, and Aurora, and in at least one site in the other regions, though at much lower densities (Española et al. 2013). This study estimated site-specific species densities using distance sampling software (Thomas et al. 2010; see Española et al. [2013] for full methods), and used these to derive population estimates for five protected areas (Española et al. 2013). From this method, a R. merrilli population for Northern Sierra Madre National Park (NSMNP) of 9,194 (4,363-23,104) individuals was provided (Española et al. 2013). Population estimates for each of the remaining protected areas were between 20 and 1,591 individuals (Española et al. 2013). Estimations were not made for Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park or Mount Isarog Natural Park as species observations were too few for a reliable estimate of population size (Española et al. 2013). However, the rarity of the species in these two areas indicates a very low population size. Overall, this study provided a total estimate of only 4,383-24,695 individuals across all protected areas.
Several sites had wide confidence intervals in their density and/or population estimates, and the species' presence in several historical sites is unknown (Española et al. 2013). Along with the low detactability of the species (Gibbs et al. 2001), these uncertainties makes it difficult to provide an overall estimate of the population size. However, the population estimates from the Española et al. (2013) study presumably represent the highest densities of the species for each specific region, as they are in protected areas. The calculated densities for the remaining regions are fairly consistent, ranging from 0.1-1.2 individuals/km2, compared to 3.1 individuals/km2 for Sierra Madre. The next highest population estimate was 234 (35–1,591) individuals in Subic Bay Forest Reserve and Bataan Natural Park combined. Although the species' occupancy and density outside of reserves is uncertain, including across several historically occupied areas, the estimated densities for the smaller reserve areas suggest densities are likely low and occupancy is patchy. An overall population size of 5,000-30,000 mature individuals is therefore estimated.
Trend justification: Within the range of R. merrilli, there has been a c. 5% loss of forest cover over the past three generations (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). However, the rate of forest loss alone may underestimate declines, particularly as the species largely occurs in small and isolated populations which are vulnerable to extinction debt (Española et al. 2013). For example, the species has apparently disappeared from areas in the Laguna province (Gonzalez 1995, Española et al. 2013), with degradation from selective logging implicated in the declines (Gonzalez 1995).
Population declines are suspected to be in the range of 5-19%, including cumulative impacts of habitat loss and modification, and hunting (Poulsen 2005, Baptista et al. 2020). In particular, future declines are expected due to the potential for local extinctions in several of the smaller reserves and the projected loss of habitat in Northern Sierra Madre National Park (Snelder et al. 2013).
Country/territory distribution
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cream-bellied Fruit-dove Ramphiculus merrilli. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cream-bellied-fruit-dove-ramphiculus-merrilli on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.
