Northern sooty woodpecker

The Northern sooty woodpecker, scientifically known as Mulleripicus funebris, is a species of bird belonging to the family Picidae. This species is endemic to the Philippines, with its range encompassing Luzon, Marinduque, Catanduanes, and the Polillo Islands. Its preferred natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forests.

Taxonomy and Description

Historically, the Northern sooty woodpecker was considered conspecific with the Southern sooty woodpecker, and both were collectively referred to as the "sooty woodpecker." However, they were recognized as distinct species by the IOC in 2021. The Northern sooty woodpecker is differentiated from its southern counterpart by its darker gray plumage. Males exhibit a distinctive characteristic: burgundy markings that cover their entire face, contrasting with the Southern sooty woodpecker's red facial markings primarily on the cheek. Additionally, the Northern sooty woodpecker has smaller white spots on its neck and face and is generally larger in size.

Three subspecies are recognized: M. f. funebris found on Central and Southern Luzon and Catanduanes; M. f. parkesi from the Polillo Islands, which is slightly larger with less extensive red on the face; and M. f. mayri from Northern Luzon, distinguished by a longer bill and tail, and a yellowish-gray bill. These subspecies are very similar to the nominate form and may eventually be synonymized.

Ecology and Behavior

Much about the Northern sooty woodpecker's ecology remains to be fully understood. It is presumed to feed primarily on invertebrates, including larvae found within dead wood. These birds are typically observed foraging singly or in pairs, usually high up in tall trees. The breeding season is reported to occur between March and May, during which they nest in holes excavated in trees.

Habitat and Conservation

The Northern sooty woodpecker inhabits primary forests and mature secondary forests, generally found at elevations below 1,000 meters above sea level, although sightings have been recorded as high as 1,600 meters. They forage in the upper storeys of tall trees but can also descend to the understorey, frequenting tree trunks and large limbs. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this bird as Near-Threatened, with its population trend noted as decreasing. The primary threat to this species is habitat loss.