Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is endemic to three islands in the Philippines. Its population size is unknown but is not thought to be very small. It is thought to be declining in response to forest loss, but probably only slowly. It does not meet or approach threatened thresholds under any criteria and is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
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.
Orthotomus samarensis is endemic to Samar, Leyte and Bohol, Philippines.
This species inhabits lowland forest and forest edge in dense undergrowth, sometimes along stream beds or watercourses (Allen 2020).
Habitat destruction and degradation continues to occur in many lowland areas of the Philippines, and this species is likely to have been affected by the wholesale clearance of forest habitats in some areas.
Conservation Actions Underway
Occurs in Samar Island Natural Park and Raja Sikatuna National Park. No other actions known.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys within the range (particularly on Samar and Leyte) to assess its current distribution and abundance, as well as identify population trends and rates of habitat loss. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Protect more lowland forests, particularly on Samar and Leyte, and ensure these are effective at preventing habitat loss.
Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Gilroy, J., Berryman, A.
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 26/11/2024.
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 26/11/2024.