White-browed shama
| White-browed shama | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Muscicapidae |
| Genus: | Copsychus |
| Species: | C. luzoniensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Copsychus luzoniensis (Kittlitz, 1832) | |
 | |
The white-browed shama (Copsychus luzoniensis) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on the islands of Luzon, Marinduque and the Polillo Islands. The Visayan shama (C. superciliaris), formerly considered a subspecies, was split as a distinct species in 2021.[2]
Description and taxonomy
They exhibit sexual dimorphism in which females are paler with a gray chest and face with brown head, back and wings.[3]
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized:[4]
- C. l. luzoniensis (Kittlitz, FH, 1832) – northern Philippines (Luzon and Catanduanes)
- C. l. parvimaculatus (McGregor, RC, 1910) – Polillo (Philippines)
- C. l. shemleyi du Pont, JE, 1976 – Marinduque (Philippines)
These subspecies are poorly differentiated and likely will be lumped in the future.
Ecology and behavior
Presumed to feed on small insects and larvae. Typically found in pairs foraging in the dense and lower foliage. This species is believed to be territorial.
Breeding occurs in April and may. Nest is described as cub of grass and dry leaves. Lays 2 pale green eggs with reddish brown spots.
Habitat and conservation status
Found in primary forest, mature secondary forest typically in below 1,000 m (3,280 ft) asl. It is believed to be generally common.
This species has been assessed as Least-concern species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as it remains locally common and relatively tolerant to disturbed habitats. This species is still believed to be on the decline due to the extensive habitat clearance. 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. This species is found in a few protected areas including Bataan National Park, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Angat Watershed Forest Reserve, Mount Makiling, Kalbario–Patapat Natural Park, Bicol Natural Park and Bulusan Volcano Natural Park but actual protection from deforestation is still lax.[3]
References
- ↑ BirdLife International. (2024). "Copsychus luzoniensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024 e.T103894700A264249190. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T103894700A264249190.en. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ↑ "Species Updates – IOC World Bird List". Retrieved 2021-05-27.
- 1 2 Collar, Nigel; Kirwan, Guy M. (2020). "White-browed Shama (Copsychus luzoniensis)". Birds of the World Online. 1.0. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY. doi:10.2173/bow.whbsha1.01. ISSN 2771-3105.
- ↑ AviList Core Team (2025). "AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025". doi:10.2173/avilist.v2025. Retrieved 9 June 2026.