Philippine creeper
Template:Short description Template:Automatic taxobox The Philippine creepers or rhabdornises are small passerine birds and form the genus Rhabdornis. They are endemic to the Philippines. They do not migrate, other than to make local movements.
Taxonomy
The genus Rhabdornis was introduced in 1853 by German naturalist Ludwig Reichenbach to accommodate the stripe-headed rhabdornis.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The name combines the Ancient Greek rhabdos meaning "stripe" with ornis meaning "bird."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The relationship of the Philippine creepers to other bird species was formerly uncertain and the genus Rhabdornis was placed in its own family Rhabdornithinae.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Molecular phylogenetic studies have revealed that the Philippine creepers are aberrant members of the starling family Sturnidae.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The genus contains four species:<ref name=ioc>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Stripe-headed rhabdornis, stripe-headed rhabdornis or stripe-sided rhabdornis, Rhabdornis mystacalis
- Grand rhabdornis, long-billed rhabdornis or grand rhabdornis, Rhabdornis grandis
- Stripe-breasted rhabdornis, plain-headed creeper or stripe-breasted rhabdornis, Rhabdornis inornatus
- Visayan rhabdornis, Rhabdornis rabori<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Description
The Philippine creepers are similar in appearance to treecreepers (Certhiidae). They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they can use to extricate insects from bark, but they have brush-like tongues, which enable them to also feed on nectar.
References
External links
- Don Robertson's Bird Families of the World: Rhabornises. Contains photos of all 3 species. Version of 2006-JAN-25. Retrieved 2007-JUL-20.
- Flickr Field Guide: Birds of the World: Photo of Rhabdornis mystacalis. Retrieved 2007-JUL-19.