The Palawan flowerpecker is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only in the Palawan island group. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest.
Region
Western Philippines (Palawan Archipelago)
Typical Environment
Occurs throughout the Palawan island group, including larger islands and nearby islets with remaining lowland forest. It inhabits primary and mature secondary tropical moist lowland forest, forest edges, and sometimes well-wooded gardens near forest. The species forages mainly in the canopy and upper midstory, descending to lower levels at fruiting shrubs. It often follows fruiting trees and mistletoe clumps and can join mixed-species flocks.
Altitude Range
0–1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Palawan flowerpecker is a tiny canopy frugivore and an important disperser of mistletoe and other small-fruited plants. It is confined to the Palawan island group in the western Philippines, where it prefers lowland forests and edges. Males are brighter than females, often showing a warm throat or breast flush, while females are drabber and more olive. Despite habitat loss in parts of Palawan, it remains locally common in suitable forest.
Temperament
active and somewhat secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, moving quickly through the canopy. Frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks around fruiting trees. The nest is a small, hanging, purse-like structure placed in foliage, with both parents participating in care. Territoriality is modest, focused around rich food sources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin, sibilant notes interspersed with short trills and rapid ticking. Calls are often delivered from cover and can be easily overlooked in insect-rich soundscapes. Vocalizations accelerate when feeding in mixed flocks.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed flowerpecker with glossy-olive upperparts and cleaner, paler underparts. Males show a warmer, orangish to reddish wash on the throat to upper breast, females are duller and more uniformly olive-yellow below. Both sexes have a short, stout bill and neat, tidy plumage.
Diet
Primarily small fruits and berries, especially mistletoe, which it swallows whole and later disperses as intact seeds. Also takes soft fruits of figs and other forest trees, nectar on occasion, and small arthropods for protein. Foraging is rapid and methodical, with brief pauses to pluck fruits.
Preferred Environment
Feeds high in the canopy and upper midstory, concentrating at fruiting trees and mistletoe clumps. Uses forest edges and semi-open secondary growth when suitable fruit is available.
