LC
Yellow-breasted Tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2024 Least Concern
2016 Near Threatened A2c+3c+4c;B1ab(iii);C2a(i)
2012 Near Threatened A2c+3c+4c;B1ab(iii);C2a(i)
2008 Near Threatened A2c; A3c; A4c; B1a+b(iii); C2a(i)
2004 Near Threatened
2000 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1994 Lower Risk/Near Threatened
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type shelf island
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 54,400 km2 medium
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size unknown - - -
Population trend decreasing poor suspected 2016-2026
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 1-9% - - -
Generation length 2.29 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2-20 - - -
Percentage of mature individuals in largest subpopulation 1-89% - - -

Population justification: The population size has not been quantified, although qualitatively the species is consistently regarded as relatively common or uncommon (Kennedy et al. 2000, del Hoyo et al. 2006, Allen 2020). Given the extensive clearance of native forest throughout its range, there can be little doubt that the population size is considerably smaller than it was historically, although many populations now lie in protected areas where they appear to be secure. Data from Leyte and Samar (outside Samar Island Natural Park) are few but eBird (2024) data indicate that it is common where found (as with other Orthotomus) and surveys on Samar found it at all (n=8) watershed forests surveyed (UNDP 2004). Across its range lies approximately 11,000 km2 of  forest below 1,000 m (calculated by sRedList [2023] using data from Jung et al. [2020]), such that even if within this area it is highly localised, the population size is likely to be relatively large.

Trend justification: This species is almost entirely forest-dependent (Allen 2020) and is consequently thought to be impacted by forest clearance and degradation. On Bohol, contemporary degradation is minimal, despite historic clearance removing almost all native forest (that which remains is almost entirely confined to Raja Sikatuna National Park) (Collar et al. 1999). However, on Samar and Leyte, forest loss and degradation is ongoing, including within the limits of Samar Island Natural Park (see Hutchinson 2021, Global Forest Watch 2024). Remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2024, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) suggest that over the past ten years (2012-2022) rates of forest cover loss in this species' range have been low (c.3%). While this does not account for degradation (e.g. Hutchinson 2021), much of the forest in this species' range for now remains intact (Grantham et al. 2020) and this species favours undergrowth; it is thus unlikely to be affected seriously by selective logging/degradation. Accordingly, rates of population reduction over the past ten years are suspected to be 1-9%. Similar rates are suspected to occur in the future.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Philippines extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Philippines Anonang-Lobi Range
Philippines Mount Cabalantian - Mount Capoto-an complex
Philippines Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland major resident
Altitude 0 - 1000 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Yellow-breasted Tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/yellow-breasted-tailorbird-orthotomus-samarensis on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.