White-throated jungle-flycatcher

Description

Rhinomyias albigularis is endemic to the Western Visayas in the Philippines,where it is known from Negros,Guimaras and Panay.Formerly widespread (though always scarce on Negros),it has been recorded less often in recent years,although still occurs throughout primary forest on Panay and is probably under-recorded in general owing to its secretive habits (E.Curio in litt.2012).Habitat clearance may already have eliminated some local populations,e.g.at Ban-ban and Mambucal (A.Bucol in litt.2007).It was last recorded on Guimaras in 1887 and is presumed extinct there.This small bird forages in the understorey and lower levels of the forest,usually below 10 metres from the ground and often along forest edges,looking for invertebrates on which to feed,such as beetles,caterpillars and spiders.Very little is known about the reproductive biology of the white-throated jungle-flycatcher,but the breeding season is thought to last at least from March to May.A nest with two partially-incubated eggs was found in late March,a fledgling male was collected in mid-April,four specimens with enlarged gonads were also recorded in April and two males collected in May were labelled as 'breeding'.A family party consisting of one adult and two juveniles was also observed in August.Nests appear to be cup-shaped structures made from moss,plant fibres and rootlets,placed in the cavity of an old tree,several metres from the ground