Whiskered flowerpecker

The whiskered flowerpecker (Dicaeum proprium) is a species of bird in the family Dicaeidae. It is endemic to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss.

Description and taxonomy
EBird describes the bird as "A tiny bird of lower montane forest and edge on Mindanao, where it feeds on mistletoe. Glossy black above and brown below, with a whitish moustache stripe bordered below by a thin black line, a thin white throat patch, and a white line on the sides. Female has a blackish-brown crown and upperparts. Distinguished from all other flowerpeckers by its brown underparts. Voice is a soft 'chup' or harsh 'juk! Often seen feeding on fruiting and flowering trees where it feeds on fruit, nectar, and pollen. They are apparently dependent on mistletoe flowers.

Habitat and conservation status
It inhabits tropical moist primary and secondary sub-montane and montane forest and forest edge 1,000 masl where they are dependent on mistletoe flowers.

IUCN has assessed this bird as a least-concern species. Despite a limited range, it is said to be locally common in its range. As it occurs in rugged and inaccessible mountains, this has allowed a large portion of its habitat to remain intact. It is also able to tolerate degraded forest. However, the population is still said to be declining, it is still affected by habitat loss through deforestation, mining, land conversion and slash-and-burn - just not to the same extent as lowland forest.