White-eared brown dove

The white-eared brown dove (Phapitreron leucotis) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to the Philippines where it is found across most of the country except Palawan, Sulu and Batanes. It habitat is in lowland and montane forests.^[2] This species population is decreasing in number due to habitat loss, hunting and the capture for the illegal wildlife trade.

White-eared brown dove
P. l. leucotis
P. l. brevirostris group
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Columbiformes
Family:	Columbidae
Genus:	Phapitreron
Species:	P. leucotis
Binomial name
Phapitreron leucotis (Temminck, 1823)

It is illegal to hunt, capture or possess white-eared brown doves under Philippine Law RA 9147.^[3]

Description and taxonomy

EBird describes the bird as "A fairly small dove of forest and edge from the lowlands to the lower mountains. Brown above, with a gray or pinkish head, neck, and chest, bluish iridescence on the back of the neck, a pale pinkish belly, and white corners to the tail. Note the black and pale streaks under the eye and the small triangle of bare skin behind it. Similar to Amethyst Brown-Dove, but White-eared has blue on the back of the neck and white under the base of the tail. Song is an accelerating series of rising “wup” notes."^[4]

Subspecies

Four subspecies are recognized:

• P. l. leucotis— Found on Luzon, Polillo, Alabat, Catanduanes, Lubang, Verde, Mindoro and Marinduque.
• P. l. nigrorum — Found on Tablas, Sibuyan, Ticao, Masbate, Panay, Calagnaan, Guimaras, Negros and Cebu; shorter bill, green-glossy nape, more metallic mantle, buff chin and throat, gray iris and a glossy gold-green breast
• P. l. brevirostris — Found on Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Calicoan, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin Sur, Dinagat, Siargao, Mindanao; whitish throat and forecrown, pink on nape and a brighter metallic blue mantle and has a shortbill
• P. l. occipitalis — Found on Basilan and Sulu; similar to but with a rich purple nape and warm brown iris

The Handbook of the Birds of the World recognizes it as three separate species leucotis as White-eared brown dove, nigrorum as Buff-eared brown dove brevirostris and occipitalis as Short-billed brown dove.

Behaviour and ecology

Diet consists of seeds and fruits. Usually seen alone or in pairs but also may congregate in fruiting trees. Breeding season believed to be from March to June. Nest is a typical lazily built dove nest of lose arrangement of twigs on a branch. Lays 2 glossy white eggs.^[5]

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitats at tropical moist lowland and montane primary forest and secondary forest up to 2,300 meters above sea level.

The IUCN Red List recognizes the three species but all are assessed as least-concern species. This is heavily trapped for the pet-trade and hunted for its meat yet remains locally common. ^[6]