# Flame-templed babbler

The flame-templed babbler (Dasycrotapha speciosa) is a species of bird of the family Zosteropidae, in the genus Dasycrotapha. It is one of the most remarkable and distinctive birds with its complex head markings with orange crown tufts, black ears and yellow beak and face. It is endemic to the Philippines, where it is found on the islands of Panay and Negros. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. Along with the Negros striped babbler, it is one of the two babbler species extremely sought after by birdwatchers on Negros.

## Description

EBird describes the bird as "A small bird. Has a gray back with fine pale streaks, golden flight feathers, a yellowish belly, a brighter yellow chest extending around the collar, a black head with black spots on the upper chest, and a yellow bill, forehead, chin, and short moustache stripe. Note the white-streaked cheek and the orange tufts on the back of the head. Often joins mixed-species flocks, where it methodically forages in the understory and at middle heights in the forest. Unmistakable. Song is a descending whistled warble."

## Ecology and behavior

The flame-templed babbler is an omnivore feeding on small insects and berries, flowers and figs. These babblers feed and breed in understory bushes, trees, vines and ferns. Forms mixed flocks with other small birds such as the Visayan fantail, Philippine tailorbird, Lemon-throated leaf warbler, White-vented whistler and Visayan bulbul.
It seems to breed almost year round but territorial behaviour most apparent in the months of March to April.

## Habitat and conservation status

The flame-templed babbler inhabits lowland forest, forest edge and secondary growth below 1,000 m, occasionally occurring up to 1,180 m. Highest densities have been recorded in the thick undergrowth of degraded secondary forest and observations come from the lower strata (up to 8 m) in the understory, where birds stay in deep cover and are consequently unobtrusive unless singing.
IUCN has assessed this bird as endangered estimating the population to be just 2,500 - 9,999 mature individuals. In areas where habitat is still good, they occur in high densities of more than 20 birds per square kilometer; however, overall remaining habitat is greatly reduced. It was only fairly recently discovered in Panay in 1987 and is only found in five localities.
This species' main threat is habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range. Negros Island is one of the most deforested areas in the country due to its sugar industry and logging with most of its forests being totally lost before the 21st century. Forest cover on Negros and Panay is just 3% and 6% respectively and these figures are still declining.
It occurs in a few protected areas within Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and Northern Negros Natural Park; however, protection and enforcement against deforestation is lax. It also occurs in the proposed Central Panay Mountain Range Park which contains the largest block of remaining forest in the Western Visayas, and the tourist destination of Twin Lakes (Mount Talinis). Both sites benefit from conservation funding but are still under threat by deforestation.
In line with most Philippine endemic birds, this species will likely be downlisted to Near-threatened. It is important to note that this is not because the population has increased but rather the general belief that this bird is overlooked and not as endangered as originally thought - this species is seen in the highest densities in degraded habitat. The rate of habitat loss is now much lower and has slowed down.