Micromacronus leytensis

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Classis: Reptilia
Cladus: Eureptilia
Cladus: Romeriida
Subclassis: Diapsida
Cladus: Sauria
Infraclassis: Archosauromorpha
Cladus: Crurotarsi
Divisio: Archosauria
Cladus: Avemetatarsalia
Cladus: Ornithodira
Subtaxon: Dinosauromorpha
Cladus: Dinosauriformes
Cladus: Dracohors
Cladus: Dinosauria
Cladus: Saurischia
Cladus: Eusaurischia
Subordo: Theropoda
Cladus: Neotheropoda
Cladus: Averostra
Cladus: Tetanurae
Cladus: Avetheropoda
Cladus: Coelurosauria
Cladus: Tyrannoraptora
Cladus: Maniraptoromorpha
Cladus: Maniraptoriformes
Cladus: Maniraptora
Cladus: Pennaraptora
Cladus: Paraves
Cladus: Eumaniraptora
Cladus: Avialae
Infraclassis: Aves
Cladus: Avebrevicauda
Cladus: Pygostylia
Cladus: Ornithothoraces
Cladus: Ornithuromorpha
Cladus: Carinatae
Parvclassis: Neornithes
Cohors: Neognathae
Cladus: Neoaves
Cladus: Telluraves
Cladus: Australaves
Ordo: Passeriformes
Subordo: Passeri
Infraordo: Passerida
Superfamilia: Sylvioidea

Familia: Cisticolidae
Genus: Micromacronus
Species: Micromacronus leytensis Subspecies: M. l. leytensis - M. l. sordidus
Name

Micromacronus leytensis Amadon, 1962
Vernacular names
ReferencesCondor: a magazine of western ornithology. 64 p.3

The Visayan miniature babbler (Micromacronus leytensis) or the Leyte plumed-warbler is a bird species in the family Cisticolidae.

It is endemic to the Philippines found in the islands of Samar and Leyte with no records on Leyte since collection. Along with the Mindanao miniature babbler which was previously conspecific with, it is one of the smallest birds in South East Asia at only 7cm in size. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest. It is one of the least known birds in the Philippines having only been rediscovered in 2016.[2]
Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A tiny and very little-known bird of foothill forest on Samar and Leyte islands. Yellow below, with a broad yellow eyebrow and olive upperparts. Note the reddish eye and the long white plumes sprouting from the sides, lower back, and rump. Voice thought to be similar to that of Mindanao Plumed-Warbler, which gives a sibilant chatter.[3]

They have been observed to join mixed species flocks of white-eyes and flowerpeckers flying through and middle and high cannopy. Its diet is presumed to be small insects and possibly small fruits. Due to its habits and size, it is believed to be overlooked. [4]
Habitat and conservation status

All recent records of this bird are in Samar Island Natural Park. While this area is listed as a national park, protection is lax and illegal logging and habitat encroachment are still rampant.

Conservation actions proposed include further surveys in suitable habitat especially in Leyte to better understand its range and enforcement of laws on illegal loggers in its habitat.[5]
References

BirdLife International. (2022). "Micromacronus leytensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T22735027A205697166. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T22735027A205697166.en. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
Hutchinson, Robert. "LITTLE-KNOWN ASIAN BIRD: Visayan Plumed-warbler Micromacronus leytensis" (PDF). BirdingAsia (36): 36–38.
Allen, Desmond (2020). Birds of the Philippines. Barcelona: Lynx and Birdlife International Field Guides.
Collar, Nigel; Robson, Craig; Sharpe, Christopher J. (2020). "Leyte Plumed-Warbler (Micromacronus leytensis), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.mitbab1.01species_shared.bow.project_name. ISSN 2771-3105.

BirdLife International. (2022). "Micromacronus leytensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T22735027A205697166. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T22735027A205697166.en. Retrieved 9 August 2024.

Collar, N.J. & Robson, C. (2007): Family Timaliidae (Babblers). In: del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew & Christie, D.A. (eds.): Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume 12 (Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees): 70-291. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.