Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This woodpecker qualifies as Vulnerable because its range and population are both regarded as very small and undergoing rapid declines as a result of habitat loss.
Population justification
The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals based on an assessment of known records, descriptions of abundance and range size. This is consistent with recorded population density estimates for congeners or close relatives with a similar body size, and the fact that only a proportion of the estimated extent of occurrence is likely to be occupied. This estimate is equivalent to 3,750-14,999 individuals, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals. However, it has been suggested that this could be a large overestimate (R. Hutchinson in litt. 2016).
Trend justification
The species's is suspected to be in rapid decline within its range owing to widespread logging and forest clearance.
This species is endemic to the Sulu archipelago in the Philippines, where it is known historically from eight islands, including Jolo, Siasi, Sanga-sanga and Sibutu (Collar et al. 1999). Formerly thought to be widespread and abundant, the species was regarded as rare by the early 1970s. It persists on Tawitawi and fringing coralline islands. In 1998, the species was found to survive outside of dipterocarp forest, being recorded within Bardatal village, in bushes fringing mangrove, in heavily logged forest and in less degraded forest (Allen 1998). In 2008, one pair was seen in heavily degraded farm habitat (D. Allen in litt. 2012).
It inhabits forest clearings, forest edge, mangroves and cultivated areas, in addition to primary forest, although it has been speculated that it avoids dense forest. However, its habitat preferences are poorly understood. Its tolerance of degraded habitats implies that it should be more numerous than is the case.
Extensive forest destruction throughout the archipelago presumably precipitated its decline. By the mid-1990s, rapid clearance of primary forest on Tawitawi had rendered remaining lowland patches highly degraded. Military activity and insurgency continue to present a serious obstacle to general conservation activity in the Sulus, but may indirectly conserve habitat by inhibiting logging or mining operations.
Conservation Actions Underway
There are no formal protected areas in the archipelago. A proposal exists to provide conservation funding for the Tawitawi/Sulu Coastal Area, although the likely benefits to the species are unknown. In 1997, an awareness campaign focusing on the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity on Tawitawi was initiated.
13-14 cm. Small, relatively plain woodpecker. White throat, sub-moustachial stripe and supercilium, which extends to nape. Rest of head brown. Male shows red patch on sides of crown, extending to nape. Brown upperparts (though these can appear quite golden in males), unbarred though shows broad, irregular white streaking on back and largely white rump. Off-white underparts with brown breast-band, often bordered yellow. Lightly streaked flanks. Voice Similar to Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker P. maculatus though louder and lower in pitch, a staccato kikikikikikikiki rising at the start. Hints Prefers higher branches, especially dead trees. Joins mixed feeding flocks.
Text account compilers
Peet, N., Bird, J., Allinson, T, Westrip, J., Davidson, P., Benstead, P., Taylor, J.
Contributors
Hutchinson, R., Allen, D.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sulu Pygmy Woodpecker Picoides ramsayi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sulu-pygmy-woodpecker-picoides-ramsayi on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.