The Philippine trogon (Harpactes ardens) is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found on regions of Luzon, East Visayas and Mindanao. It is the only species of trogon in the country. While not a threatened species, its population is declining due to habitat loss and hunting.
Description and taxonomy
Ebird describes it as "A fairly large, long-tailed bird of lowland and low-elevation montane forest. Brown on the back, with barred wings, a white undertail, a yellow bill with blue at the base, and blue bare skin around the eye. Female has mustard-yellow underparts and an olive-brown head, whereas the spectacular male has a black head, a pink chest, and a red belly. Unmistakable. The only species of trogon in the Philippines. Song is a descending series that first accelerates, then decelerates."[2]
Its latin name ardens translates to burning, flaming, glowing, fiery which is likely in reference to its bright colors.[3]
H. a. linae – Found in Samar, Biliran, Leyte and Bohol; has a larger throat patch and bill
H. a.. minor – Found in Polillo Islands; smaller with darker red colors
H. a. luzoniensis – Found in Luzon (except Northeast), Marinduque and Catanduanes; shorter bill and duller underparts with no maroon hues on crown
H. a. herberti – Found in Northeast Luzon; strong maroon hues on crown and a larger bill[4]
Ecology and behavior
A monograph of a male and female Philippine trogon by John Gould
It is primarily an insectivore that feeds on grasshoppers, stick insects, praying mantises and other insects. It has also been recorded feeding on a small lizards and amphibians.
Breeding season is from March to June. Nest in tree holes above 5 meters from the forest floor. Its clutch size is 3 eggs.[5] Interestingly, only males have been observed incubating but it is presumed that the females also participate.
Habitat and conservation status
It is found in tropical moist lowland forest and the lower reaches of tropical moist mountain forest up to 2,000 meters above sea level but is most common under 600 meters above sea level.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this bird as a Least-concern species as it has a large range and is still locally common in some areas. However, despite not being a threatened species, the population is believed to be on the decline. 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.
Among Philippine endemics, this bird is relatively well known by the public as it is often featured in stamps, murals, artworks, stuffed toys, brands and viral news articles.[7][8][9]
Primarily due to its plumage and colors, the bird has been associated with the mythical Ibong Adarna from Filipino epic poems. However, there is no actual and historical basis for this and based on the descriptions of the mythical bird, it is more akin to the mythical Phoenix or Sarimanok rather than any real-life bird. Also contrary to the Ibong adarna's described musical lullaby call, the Philippine trogon's voice if often compared to a laughing horse's neigh[10][11] This bird is often featured on viral news articles and posts which directly link it to the Ibong adarna. Even in the government news agency, Philippine News Agency has errantly referred to this bird as "critically endangered".[12]
The Philippine trogon has been featured twice on Philippine stamps in 1969 and 1992 respectively.[13]
Despite its attractive plumage, this species is rarely kept in captivity as they rarely survive and have a more specialized insectivorous diet. There are no records of Philippine trogons in zoos.[11]
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