#birbfest2023

Study of an extremely round zebra finch borb 🦓🐥

Birbfest2023! 1 & 2!

today's sketch is not of a parrot but a flame-breasted fruit dove (Ptilinopus marchei)! Another species native to the Philippines. They're only found in the mountains of Luzon, where they live in primary mossy forests-- they fail to thrive in secondary ones.

I'll just quote wikipedia on this:

"This is now listed vulnerable with 2,500 to 9,999 mature individuals left in the wild. It is threatened by habitat loss, poaching for the pet trade, nest disturbance and hunting for food. They have been seen being sold in illegal online markets on Facebook. Habitat loss is its main threat habitat loss with wholesale clearance of forest habitats as a result of logging, agricultural conversion and mining activities occurring within the range. Forest cover in the Sierra Madre has declined by 83% since the 1930s and most remaining areas are under logging concessions and may suffer further from major road-building plans. Mount Banahaw is affected land conversion due to quarrying and development for tourism."

ebird entry: link.

And a video of one in the wild: