Black shama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black shama |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Copsychus
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| Species: |
cebuensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Kittacincla cebuensis |
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The Black shama (Copsychus cebuensis) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the Muscicapidae family, which includes many small, insect-eating birds. This bird is only found on the island of Cebu in the Philippines. Local people on Cebu call it "Siloy".
You can find the Black shama in different places on Cebu. It lives in moist lowland forests and shrublands. It can even be seen in plantations, which are areas where trees are grown. Important spots where this bird lives include the Central Cebu Protected Landscape and forests near Alcoy and Argao. Sadly, the Black shama is in danger because its home is disappearing.
What Does the Black Shama Look Like?
The Black shama is a medium-sized bird with a long tail. It prefers to live in lowland forests, bamboo patches, and bushy areas. It especially likes the bottom parts of valleys.
- Males: Male Black shamas are completely black. They have a shiny, glossy look.
- Females: Female Black shamas are a sooty gray color. They have a reddish-brown belly.
This bird is good at catching insects. It finds them on the ground, in thick bushes, or even while flying! There are no other birds on Cebu that look like the Black shama. Its song is a series of long, sometimes wobbly whistles.
Where Does the Black Shama Live?
The Black shama lives in tropical moist lowland forests. This includes both old, untouched forests and newer forests that have grown back. You might also see them in open areas or plantations. But they always need thick bushes nearby to hide in. Studies show that a breeding pair needs a territory of about 0.2 to 0.5 square kilometers (about 0.08 to 0.19 square miles) in forest-edge areas.
Why is the Black Shama in Danger?
The IUCN Red List says the Black shama is an endangered species. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Scientists believe there are only about 670 to 3,300 adult birds left. They think the actual number is closer to the lower estimate.
The biggest threat to the Black shama is habitat loss. This means its natural home is being destroyed.
- Logging: Forests are being cut down, both legally and illegally.
- Mining: Land is being dug up for minerals, which destroys habitats.
- Farming: Forests are cleared to make space for farms. This often happens through slash-and-burn methods, where trees are cut and burned.
- Cities: More and more land is being used for buildings and towns.
Cebu island has lost almost all its forests. In the 1890s, there was a lot of deforestation. Now, only a tiny bit of forest remains, about 0.03% of the island, or 15 square kilometers (about 5.8 square miles). Even today, the remaining forests on Cebu are still being hunted in and cut down. This makes the problem even worse.
Many other animals on Cebu are also endangered because of this habitat loss. The Black shama shares its home with other rare birds like the Cebu flowerpecker, which is one of the most endangered birds in the world. Other endangered species include the Cebu brown dove, Cebu hawk-owl, and Streak-breasted bulbul. Sadly, some animals like the Cebu warty pig have already disappeared from Cebu. Other birds like the Philippine oriole and Philippine hanging parrot have also disappeared from the island.
The Black shama lives in protected forests in places like Alcoy, Argao, Dalaguete, Tabunan, and Boljoon. However, the rules to protect these areas are not always strongly enforced.
