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Sylvia flava

Sylvia flava

Philippines
Status
Unknown

IUCN conservation assessment category

Habitat
woodland canopies, open shrublands, and diverse forest biomes

Primary ecological niche & biome

Diet
seeds, insects, small invertebrates, nectar, and wild berries

Dietary type and primary food source

Activity
diurnal

Diurnal, nocturnal, or active patterns

Scientific Summary

GBIF Taxonomic Backbone & Wikipedia Registry Profile

Remarks. In the genus Zosterops Vigors & Horsfield, 1827, Sylvia flava Meyen, 1834 a is a junior secondary homonym of Dicaeum flavum Kittlitz (1833: 15, pl. 19) [= Zosterops meyeni Bonaparte, 1850] and of Dicaeum flavum Horsfield (1821: 170) [= Zosterops flavus (Horsfield, 1821)]. Bonaparte (1850: 398) introduced a new name for it, Zosterops meyeni, in the following way: “ Dicaeum flavum? Meyen. (Zosterops meyeni, Bp.) Kittl. Kupf. Vög. t. 19.2. ex Ins. Philipp. ” (his bold and italics). After consulting formatting in Bonaparte’s Conspectus Generum Avium (1850), we interpret this arrangement as meaning that Bonaparte presumed flava Meyen, 1834 and flavum Kittlitz, 1832 were, question mark notwithstanding: (1) conspecific, (2) both allotted to the genus Dicaeum prior to his revision in the Conspectus, and (3) both junior homonyms of Dicaeum flavum Horsfield, 1821 in Zosterops that had to be replaced with a new name, meyeni. Replacing two junior homonyms with a single common name in one nomenclatural act is most unusual and creates a problem in typification. The appropriate solution appears to be to treat the types of Dicaeum flavum Kittlitz, 1832 and Sylvia flava Meyen, 1834 as syntypes of Zosterops meyeni (ICZN 1999: Article 72.7). Should flavum Kittlitz and flava Meyen ever be separated taxonomically, application of meyeni Bonaparte can then be resolved by lectotypification. Specimen ZMB 4554 is thus the holotype of Sylvia flava Meyen and a syntype of Zosterops meyeni Bonaparte. This confirms that the lowland Zosterops of Luzon and adjacent islands should bear the name Zosterops meyeni meyeni Bonaparte, 1850 (see Hartlaub 1865: 17; Gadow 1884: 180; Finsch 1901: 22; van Balen 2008: 446).
Biology & Conservation

Ecologically, the conservation status of Sylvia flava is officially designated as Unknown. Current field registries estimate a global population composed of an unquantified number of individuals, making habitat preservation critical to maintaining their wild populations.

It is typically endemic to woodland canopies, open shrublands, and diverse forest biomes, showing great physiological synergy with its surroundings. In terms of dietary preferences, it relies primarily on a diet of seeds, insects, small invertebrates, nectar, and wild berries. It exhibits specialized adaptations centered around a diurnal activity pattern, optimizing its energy conservation and interactions within its native ecosystem. The species has a typical natural lifespan of approximately 8 years, allowing it to adapt and mature through structured generational cycles.

Ongoing biological monitoring and ecological advocacy emphasize the importance of protecting this species. The stability of its food chain and the prevention of fragmentation in its primary range are vital for the continued survival of Sylvia flava.

Energy & Activity Profile
Habitat & Adaptation Index
Quick Facts
Native RangePhilippines
Habitat Rangewoodland canopies, open shrublands, and diverse forest biomes
Lifespan8 Yrs
StatusUnknown
ScientificSylvia flava
Registry Info
Lifespan8 years
KingdomAnimalia
FamilySylviidae